Dr. Mary M. Atwater
Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science Education
University of Georgia, Athens

Dr. Mary Atwater was selected to receive the NARST 2019 Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award (DCRA). This honor recognizes Mary Atwater’s professional accomplishments as the most significant among other researchers nominated for the DCRA this year. Dr. Mary M. Atwater is a pioneer in multicultural science education. Through her enduring commitment to this critical issue, she has assisted the science education research community worldwide. She has provided the foundation upon which many scholars have built their research agendas and careers specific to equity and diversity. Dr. Atwater has authored numerous groundbreaking research articles. She is the editor of the forthcoming International Handbook of Research on Multicultural Science Education. Prompted by her commitment to make scholarship accessible to users of research, Dr. Atwater has authored countless papers specifically for practitioners. Dr. Atwater served as president of NARST and has provided service to the organization in almost every role conceivable within the organization. In these multiple roles, she has been a significant influence on large numbers of early- and mid-career scholars.