Author: Valarie L. Akerson

Valarie L Akerson is a Professor of Science Education at Indiana University, and a former elementary teacher. Her research focuses on preservice and inservice elementary teachers’ ideas about Nature of Science, as well as their teaching practices. She is a Past-President of the Association for Science Teacher Education and a Past-President for NARST: A worldwide organization for improving science teaching and learning through research. Gayle Buck is an Associate Dean for Research, Development & Innovation, as well as a Professor of Science Education. Previously a middle level science teacher in both urban and rural schools, Professor Buck now teaches courses in science, STEM education and teacher education. Her research explores 1) student populations traditionally underserved in science education, 2) neglected epistemological assumptions in teaching and learning, and 3) pragmatic and participatory approaches to educational research.