Luft co-edits new handbook on science teacher education
Julie Luft, Athletic Association Professor of Science Education and Distinguished Research Professor in the College’s Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, co-edited a recently published handbook on science teacher education.
“‘The Handbook of Research on Science Teacher Education’ is a fresh and thorough review of research on topics pertaining to the preparation, induction, and the ongoing learning of K-12 science teachers,” Luft said. “We wanted to make the information in the handbook easily accessible and elected to have critical and concise chapters that would be useful to science teacher educators or science education leaders.”
Divided into six sections, the handbook’s 35 chapters focus on research across topics including elementary and secondary teacher preparation, professional learning, science teacher, and emerging areas.
Luft co-edited the book with M. Gail Jones, a professor at North Caroline State University. The idea for the book came about through Luft’s conversations with Patricia Friedrichsen, a professor at the University of Missouri, on the need to analyze research in science teacher education.
“I have been challenged to think beyond what I know in science teacher education. The authors and section editors brought new ways of contemplating the topics and they brought forth important new ideas pertaining to science teacher education,” Luft said.
Along with Luft, several graduate students, faculty members, and alumni of the College contributed to the book:
- Dan Capps, associate professor and graduate coordinator for science education in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Joe DeLuca (Ed.D. ’24), doctoral student in science education, Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Kayla Flanagan (Ph.D. ‘20), teacher, Oconee County Schools
- David Jackson, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Shannon Navy (Ph.D. ’14), assistant professor, Kent State University
- José Manuel Pavez (Ph.D. ’24), doctoral student in science education, Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education