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Productivity Report

2006-2007 was another busy year for Science Education faculty. Bill Ritz and Dave Nickles both have book published out this year, Jim Kisiel, Susan Gomez-Zwiep, Bill Straits and Laura Henriques have all gotten external grants funded. Tom Kelty & Catherine Martin-Dunlop just submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation. Regular Features . . . Bill Ritz will be writing a science column for Children and Families, a quarterly magazine published for the National Head Start Association and read by Head Start and Early Head Start professionals. Al Colburn will be writing a monthly column called The Prepared Practitioner for The Science Teacher. As a group we published 33 articles or books, did 28 professional presentations and worked on grants an excess of $2.5 million. We're in the midst of a search for a new faculty member, an elementary science educator, and we look forward to having that person join us!

Faculty Publications 2006-2007

  1. Anderson, D; Kisiel, J.; Storksdieck, M. (2006) Understanding teachers' perspectives on field trips: Discovering common ground in three countries. Curator, 49 (3), 365-386.
  2. Crowther, D., Robinson, M., Edmundson, A. & Colburn, A. (2008). Preparing English language learners in the science classroom, pp. 105 - 132, in Akerson, V. (Ed). Interdisciplinary language arts and science instruction in elementary classrooms. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ.
  3. Echevarria, J & Colburn, A. (2006). Designing lessons: inquiry approach to science using the SIOP model, pp. 95-109, in A. Lathman & D. Crowther, Eds.(2006). Science for English Language Learners: K-12 Classroom Strategies. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.
  4. Gomez-Zwiep, S. & Straits, W. (2006). Analyzing anthropomorphisms. Science and Children, 44 (3), 26-29.
  5. Gomez-Zwiep, S. & Straits, W. (2007). Pigs can fly... and talk and build houses and shop at the mall... What's the Big Idea?, 6 (4), 3-4.
  6. Henriques, L. (2006). CSU Science Education Summit. California Classroom Science, 18 (1) 18.
  7. Henriques, L. (2006). Questions and More Questions. California Classroom Science, 17 (5) 7,14.
  8. Henriques, L. (2006). Science Field Trips – You don't have to wait until spring! California Classroom Science, 18 (2) 9, 16.
  9. Henriques, L. (2006). Welcome Back to School! California Classroom Science, 18 (1) 12, 23.
  10. Henriques, L. (2007). Assessment – Get More Learning From Tests. California Classroom Science, 18 (4) 9,20.
  11. Henriques, L. (2007). Children's Stories to Segue into Science Instruction. California Classroom Science, 18 (5) 6, 16.
  12. Henriques, L. (2007). Mechanics Assessment. California Classroom Science, 18 (3) 5, 14.
  13. Kelty, T.K., Kirkgard, S.F., Zadoorian, C., and Woods, D., 2007, Design and construction challenges for project CityCenter, Las Vegas, Nevada [abstract], Association of Engineering Geologist Annual Meeting, Los Angeles.
  14. Kelty, T.K., Yin, A., Gehrels, G., Dash, B. and Day, P., 2007, Detrital-zircon geochronology of the Gorhi Formation, Uubulan, Mongolia [abstract], 3rd International Workshop, IGCP Project 480, Beijing, China.
  15. Kisiel, J. (2007) Examining teacher choices for science museum visits. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 18, 29-43.
  16. Kucan, L., Trathen, W. R., Straits, W. J., Hash, D., Link, D. Miller, L., & Pasley, L. (2007). Developing approaches to vocabulary instruction in secondary classrooms: What do mathematics, art, science, and English teachers have to tell us? Reading Research and Instruction, 46 (2), 175-196.
  17. Martin-Dunlop, C., & Fraser, B. J. (2006). Improving the learning environment of university science courses: A key to better elementary teacher education. Conference proceedings from the Fourth International Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Conference, Victoria, BC, Canada.
  18. Martin-Dunlop, C. (2006, Sept.). Science learning environments and action research. Science Scope, 30, 44-47.
  19. Martin-Dunlop, C., & Fraser, B.J. (2007). Learning environment and attitudes associated with an innovative science course designed for prospective elementary teachers. International Journal of Science & Mathematics Education.
  20. McGinnis, J., Gilbert, D. & Henriques, L. (2006). California School Librarians Association & CSTA join forces to support student science projects. California Classroom Science, 18 (2) 12.
  21. Miller, L., Straits, W., Kucan, L., Trathen, W., & Dass, M. (2007). Using literature circle roles for enhanced science vocabulary understanding. The Science Teacher, 74 (5), 52-56.
  22. Pine, J., Aschbacher, P., Roth, E., Jones, M., McPhee, C., Martin, C., Phelps, S., & Foley, B. (2006). Fifth graders' science inquiry abilities: A comparative study of students in hands-on and textbook curricula. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 43, 467-484.
  23. Ritz, W.C., ed. (2007). A Head Start on Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder– grades PreK-2. Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association Press.
  24. Straits, W. & Nichols, S. (2006). Literature circles for science. Science and Children, 44 (3), 52-55.
  25. Straits, W. J. & Grizzard, G. (in press). Peanut pageant: Engaging students in contemporary science controversies. The Green Teacher.
  26. Straits, W. J. & Nichols, S. E. (in press). Using historical non-fiction and literature circles to develop elementary teachers' nature of science understandings. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 18 (6).
  27. Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2006). Interactive demonstrations: Examples from biology lectures. Journal of College Science Teaching, 35 (4), 58-59.
  28. Straits, W. J. & Wilke, R. R. (2007). How constructivist are we? Representations of transmission and participatory models of instruction in, "The Journal of College Science Teaching." Journal of College Science Teaching, 36 (7), 58-61.
  29. Straits, W. J. (in press). "She's teaching me." Teaching with care in a large lecture course. College Teaching.
  30. Straits, W. J. (in press). A Literature Circles Approach to Understanding Science as a Human Endeavor. Science Scope.
  31. Stronck, D.A. & Nickles, D.A. (2007) _Health, Science and Safety in the Elementary School_. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt Publishing Co.
  32. Waters, M. & Straits, W. (in press). Science rocks! A performance assessment for earth science. Science Activities.
  33. Wilke, R. R. & Straits, W. J. (2006). Developing students' science process skills in large lecture classes. The Texas Science Teacher, 35 (1), 11-16.

Faculty Presentations 2006-2007

  1. Abraham-Silver, L., Kisiel, J (July 2006) A comparative study of American, Australian, British and Canadian museum visitors' understanding of the nature of evolutionary theory. Visitor Studies Association Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.
  2. Ambos, E., Arriaza, C., Henriques. L., Segalla, A. & Turley, H. S. (2006). Noyce Scholars at CSULB. Poster presented at Robert Noyce Scholarship Program PI Conference, Washington DC, June 19-20.
  3. Andrews, D. & Henriques, L. (2007). Induction/Retention: Supporting new teachers. Recruiting Science and Mathematics Teachers for the 21st Century: Robert Noyce Scholarship Program PI Conference. Washington DC, June 28.
  4. Andrews, D. & Henriques, L. (2007). MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching). Recruiting Science and Mathematics Teachers for the 21st Century: Robert Noyce Scholarship Program PI Conference. Washington DC, June 28.
  5. Edwards, L., Kisiel, J., Cox-Petersen, A., Calabrese- Barton, A. (April 2007) Examining the intersection of formal and informal learning contexts. American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
  6. Foutz, S., Beaumont, L., Kisiel, J., Reich, C (July 2007). The ins and outs (and ups and downs) of case studies. Visitor Studies Association Annual Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, CA.
  7. Gomez-Zwiep, S. & Straits, W. (2006, November). Integration Made Elementary: Connecting Life Sciences and Language Arts/ELD. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Future Science Educators - CSULB, Long Beach, CA.
  8. Gomez-Zwiep, S. & Straits, W. (2006, October). Integration Made Elementary: Connecting Life Sciences and Language Arts/ELD. Presented at the annual meeting of the California Science Teachers Association. San Francisco, CA.
  9. Henriques. L., Hernandez, I., Segalla, A. & Turley, H. S. (2007). Noyce Scholars at CSULB. Poster presented at Robert Noyce Scholarship Program PI Conference, Washington DC, June 28-29.
  10. Kisiel, J. (April 2007) Science Center Visitor Understanding of the Science Behind Renewable Energy. National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  11. Kisiel, J. (February, 2007) Easing into Inquiry—Getting Students to Think More about Science. Greater Los Angeles Teachers of Science Association Conference, Los Angeles, CA.
  12. Kisiel, J. (October, 2006) What happens if...? Introducing inquiry and student exploration. California Science Education Conference, San Francisco, CA.
  13. Kisiel, J., Calabrese- Barton, A., Brickhouse, N. (April 2007) Tuxedo Junction: Improvisation With Formal and Informal Learning. National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  14. Kucan, L., Trathen, W. R., & Straits, W. J. (2006, November). Vocabulary Instruction with High School Students. As part of the themed-paper set entitled, "Vocabulary Instruction: Moving between Theory and Practice" (C. Blachowicz & J. Scott, organizers). Presented at the annual National Reading Conference. Los Angeles, CA.
  15. Martin-Dunlop, C. (April 2006). Authentic Scientific Inquiry: Does It Improve Understanding of the Nature of Science? Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, CA.
  16. Martin-Dunlop, C. (October 2006). Action Research for Science Teachers Using Learning Environment Surveys. California Science Teachers Association Annual Conferences, San Francisco, CA.
  17. Martin-Dunlop, C., McMahon, M., & Hodum, P. (January 2006). Synchronous Orbits: Scientist—Science Educator Collaboration Via Satellite. Annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education, Portland, OR.
  18. Martin-Dunlop, C., Taylor, B., & Rojas, J. (April 2006). Distance Doctoral Degree Available in Science and Mathematics Education. Annual Meeting of the National Science Teachers Association, Anaheim, CA.
  19. Nickles, D. (March, 2006) _Inquiry Into Elementary Science Education: One Professors Method of Applying Action Research to a Methods Course Design. Conference on Excellence on Teaching and Learning. CSU Fresno, CA.
  20. Nickles, D. (April, 2006) _Inquiry Into Elementary Science Education: Applying the Generative Learning Model to a Methods Course Design. Paper presentation for the National Science Teachers Association Conference. Anaheim, CA.
  21. Nickles, D. (April, 2006) _Ten Minute Lessons on Motion._ Science for Young Learners Day Hands-on workshop presentation for the National Science Teachers Association Conference. Anaheim, CA.
  22. Nickles, D. (April 2006) _Long-term Inquiry into Life Science for Young Children._ Hands-on workshop presentation for the National Science Teachers Association Conference. Anaheim, CA.
  23. Nickles, D. (April, 2006) _Inquiry Into Elementary Science Education: Applying the Generative Learning Model to a Methods Course Design_. 9th Regional Symposium on University Teaching. CSU Dominguez Hills, CA.
  24. Straits, W., Olmedo, L., & Streeter, S. (2006, October). Jazz it Up! Integrating Science and Language Arts. Presented at the annual Washington Mutual Future Teachers Conference. Santa Monica, CA. *
  25. Straits, W. J. (2006, November). Crossing Bridges: Applying Reader Response Theory to Science Education. Presented at the annual National Reading Conference. Los Angeles, CA.
  26. Straits, W., Nichols, S., & Marble, S., (2007, January). Reader Response Theory Applied to Science Teacher Education: Aesthetic Reading of and Responses to Science as Represented in Non-Fiction Literature as part of the themed-paper set entitled, "Literature-based Approaches in Science Teacher Education" (W. Straits, organizer). Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Science Teacher Education. Clearwater, FL.
  27. Kucan, L., Trathen, W. R., & Straits, W. J. (2007, May). Vocabulary Demands of Content Learning in High School. As part of the pre-conference institute entitled, "Linking Word Knowledge to the World: Vocabulary Learning across Subject Areas with Both Native and Second Language Learners." (J. Scott, S. Luliner, & C. Blachowicz, organizers). Presented at the annual conference of the International Reading Association. Toronto, ONT.
  28. Nickles, D. (August, 2007) Project MATS workshop presentation on electricity and electric circuits. Hayward USD

Funded Projects & Grants

New Projects & Grants

  1. CSU Systemwide Science Education Colloquium proposal to support a 2 day event held May 5-6. (CSU Chancellor's Office Institute for Teaching and Learning - $15,000) co-PIs from CSU Long Beach - Henriques, Chico, Cal Poly Pomona, Fullerton & San Francisco State.
  2. Deepening Engagement at Live Animal Exhibits. The grant will allow researchers from CSULB and OSU, working in four different aquariums, to more clearly understand how people engage with touch tanks, and which factors are most influential in shaping these learning experiences (Oregon Sea Grant. $174,000 -- $85,000 to Long Beach) – Kisiel.
  3. Hands-on Science at St. Joseph Elementary School. Invited to submit a proposal for 3-day hands-on science workshop for 4th-8th grade students at a local elementary school. (Clancy Foundation $5,000) – Henriques.
  4. K-2 Teaching Learning Collaborative Project will provide professional development for K-2 teachers in science content and pedagogy for three years, with the fourth year funded for research purposes. (California Postsecondary Education Commission, September 2007. $995,257) - Gomez-Zwiep & Straits.
  5. Project MATS (Mastering the Art of Teaching Science), Principal Investigator. $25,000 teacher professional development project for Hayward USD funded by the Payne Family Foundation. – Nickles & Others.
  6. SPIES: Science Partnership In Elementary Schools – partnering elementary science methods students and Kettering elementary school for a practicum in science teaching (CSULB, Office of University Research Enhancing Educational Effectiveness Grant - assigned time and supplies) Straits & Gomez-Zwiep.
  7. STEELI: Secondary Teacher Education for English Learner Integration Awarded by the US Department of Education, this project will focus on curricular and instructional improvements with two sub-groups: higher education faculty teaching core classes in the Single Subject Credential program and preservice teacher in the Single Subject Credential program. 7/02/2008-7/01/2012. $1,466,600 – Gomez-Zwiep & others.
  8. Texas Instruments PT3 Workshop. Proposal to host a calculator based laboratory workshops for preservice elementary and secondary science teachers (participating students received a TI graphing calculator). Workshops held April 21-22, 2007. ($6,570) – Henriques.
  9. Using Students' Concept Maps on the Nature of Science to Evaluate a Guided-Authentic-Inquiry Activity (GAIA) in a Science Course for Prospective Elementary Teachers. Purpose of project is to analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions from students' concept maps that were created in SCED 401 as part of a final assessment. Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee (SCAC), CSULB (assigned time) Martin-Dunlop.

Ongoing Funded Projects

  1. Head Start On Science. For the tenth summer in a row early childhood educators came to CSULB for instruction on how to teach science to preschool children. – Ritz.
  2. Great Lakes Energy Project: Understanding Visitor Knowledge and Attitudes An evaluation and research project that aims to better understand visitor knowledge of renewable energy. $16,706 – Kisiel.
  3. Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. Co-PI on NSF (DUE 0335772) grant to fund scholarships for mathematics and science credential candidates. ($460,000) 2003-2007. – Henriques.
  4. Teaching Learning Collaborative (TLC) We are partnering with K-12 Alliance to work with teachers from the Montebello unified and Garvey School Districts on a modified lesson study. – Gomez-Zwiep, Topps, McMahon.
  5. Teaching Secondary School Scholar Partnership Program (TS3P) Co-PI on National Science Foundation grant with Cerritos College to support the training and retention of math and science teachers. $282,360 ($75,000 subcontract to CSULB) 10/1/2005 - 10/30/2008 DUE-0501326. – Henriques.
  6. Young Scientists' Camp. Proposal to bring area middle school children to CSULB-run summer science camp. Long Beach Unified School District GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Understanding Program) $293,206. July 2003 - August 2007. – Henriques.

* Presentation made with elementary education undergraduate students / teacher candidates.