Becoming Next Generation Science Educators in an Era of Global Science Education Reform

This year’s NARST Conference promises to be an excellent chance to share research, network, and influence science education. NARST will be April 11-April 14, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, IL. The conference theme “Becoming Next Generation Science Educators in an Era of Global Science Education Reform” leads us to focused discussions on science education both domestically and globally. The two plenary sessions will be connected to this theme. 

Also featured at NARST will be a special session co-sponsored by the Contemporary Methods for Science Education Research RIG entitled “Exploring Methodological Directions to Support a NGSS-Driven Research and Development Agenda.” This interactive panel session will provide opportunities for participants to discuss the contributions of contemporary research methods to a Research and Development Agenda for the NGSS. Panelists will focus on the core research questions from A Framework for K12 Science Education (NRC, 2012) and the implications of these questions for research methods. Confirmed panelists include Jonathan Osborne, Sharon Lynch, Eileen Carlton Parsons, Okhee Lee, and Jim Pellegrino. Discussants will be Joseph Taylor and Valarie Akerson.

Another featured session is titled “An Unconference on Engineering Education: Gearing Up for New Era of Global Science Education Reform” which is co-sponsored by the Engineering Education RIG. This session will use an unconference format to promote dialogue on engineering education at the center of a new era of educational reforms that are emerging globally. Through small groups facilitated by science and engineering educators, the session will address both visionary questions that will guide future research as well as pragmatic questions on urgent issues that need to be addressed in near future. Contributors to this session are Senay Purzer, Muhsin Menekse, Kristina M. Tank, and Valarie Akerson.