Research and Curriculum Development Interests
Research and curriculum development interests
Environmental and Sustainability Education
In collaboration with colleagues in Ontario and, more recently across Canada and beyond, I am working to establish environmental and sustainability education as a core component of teacher education programs. I am currently interested in teacher candidates’ acquisition of eco-mentoring skills and how they respond to the challenges of teaching for a sustainable future. My long-standing interest in environmental education has specifically focused on biodiversity education. I have produced curriculum materials for use in Bulgarian schools and have written about the nature of good practice in biodiversity education. I have also published various guides to and examples of environmental games for use in primary and secondary settings. My enthusiasm for bats and their conservation has been a source of inspiration for some of this work.
Relationship between science, literacy and Society
One of the widely recognized characteristics of a scientifically literate person is the ability to interpret evidence in media reports relating to science, technology and socio-scientific issues. Part of my work has focused on the use of news media to promote and enhance scientific literacy in student teachers and school students. I have conducted work with school students and at university level with teacher candidates. I am also very interested in the use of word games to promote students’ engagement in science. I have collected and created a range of examples that I share in workshops for teachers and student teachers.