Nancy Songer | Environmental Education | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr Nancy Songer | Environmental Education | Best Researcher Award

Associate Provost , The University of Utah , United States

Dr. N. Songer is a distinguished leader in STEM education, with a career spanning academic, policy, and global reform roles. Currently serving as the Associate Provost of STEM Education at the University of Utah, she has contributed significantly to shaping STEM education policy and reform. With a background in molecular biology and science education, Dr. Songer has spent decades developing innovative curricula and strategies that foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. She has held prominent roles at Drexel University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Colorado, and has led groundbreaking initiatives across urban schools in the U.S. and abroad. Her work is characterized by a deep commitment to improving education for underserved communities, integrating technology into learning, and advancing the role of science education in social change.

Profile

Strengths for the Award

  1. Extensive Expertise and Experience: The individual has an impressive and diverse academic background, including a Ph.D. in Science Education & Learning Technologies from UC Berkeley and an M.S. in Molecular/Developmental Biology from Tufts University. This strong foundation in both biological sciences and science education has allowed them to contribute significantly to research that bridges these fields.
  2. Leadership and Impact in STEM Education: With leadership roles such as the Associate Provost of STEM Education at the University of Utah and the Dean of the College of Education at the University of Utah, this individual has demonstrated a high level of influence in shaping STEM education at multiple institutional levels. Their long-term leadership in diverse educational settings underscores their ability to drive systemic reforms and improvements in STEM education.
  3. Outstanding Contributions to Science Education: The researcher has made significant contributions to science education through the development of innovative curriculum designs, such as the Eco-Solutioning curricular unit, and their work in fostering the integration of science and engineering practices. Their research addresses critical areas such as the development of effective science curricula and the promotion of STEM literacy, showcasing a deep commitment to educational equity and the advancement of STEM learning.
  4. Recognition and Honors: This individual has received numerous prestigious honors, including being elected as a Fellow of the AAAS and the International Society of the Learning Sciences. Notably, they received the NSF Presidential Faculty Fellow Award from President Clinton and the AAAS Women in STEM Superhero recognition, highlighting their impactful work in the STEM education community.
  5. Collaborative Research and International Influence: The researcher has collaborated with global institutions, such as in their Fulbright Scholar and Specialist Awards, and served on influential committees like the National Academies of Sciences. Their work in international contexts, including Brazil and Turkmenistan, underscores their ability to contribute to STEM reforms on a global scale.
  6. Strong Publication Record: Their publication history reflects an ongoing commitment to advancing research in science education and the learning sciences. Notable articles and book chapters, such as those in Frontiers in Education and the Journal of Research in Science Teaching, demonstrate their expertise in fostering interdisciplinary approaches to STEM education and learning.
  7. Service and Community Engagement: The researcher has demonstrated a commitment to urban schools and community-based STEM reforms, particularly through their work with the Salt Lake City School District and the School District of Philadelphia. Their work in addressing educational disparities and promoting STEM learning in underserved areas highlights their dedication to improving educational outcomes for all students.
  8. Awards and Recognition for STEM Contributions: Being a recipient of the AAAS Women in STEM Superhero Award and a distinguished scholar for Digital Promise’s Innovation Spotlights project, this researcher has been recognized not only for academic achievements but also for their role as a mentor and leader in the field.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Increasing Public Engagement: While the researcher has an extensive academic and professional portfolio, there could be a greater focus on expanding outreach to a broader audience. Engaging more actively in public science communication, especially through media and online platforms, could amplify the impact of their work and inspire a wider audience, especially students, educators, and policymakers.
  2. Broader Publication in High-Impact Journals: Although the researcher has an extensive publication record, there could be opportunities to expand the reach of their work in high-impact journals outside the traditional education-focused ones, such as Science, Nature, or PLOS Biology. This could further solidify their role as a thought leader in both STEM education and the learning sciences.
  3. Greater Focus on Longitudinal Studies: The researcher’s work in improving educational outcomes has been impactful, but more longitudinal studies on the long-term effects of their interventions could strengthen the evidence base. For example, analyzing the long-term impact of their curriculum models on student career trajectories in STEM fields could provide compelling data for future advocacy efforts.
  4. Diversifying Research Methodologies: While the researcher’s focus on curriculum design and implementation is commendable, there may be room to explore new methodologies in educational research. Incorporating more mixed-methods approaches or using large-scale quantitative studies could complement their existing qualitative work and offer more generalizable findings.

Education

Dr. N. Songer holds a Ph.D. in Science Education & Learning Technologies from the University of California, Berkeley (1989), where she worked with Dr. Marcia Linn. She earned her M.S. in Molecular/Developmental Biology from Tufts University (1985) and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Davis (1981). Her interdisciplinary education in biological sciences, learning technologies, and science pedagogy has been foundational to her career, driving her research on the integration of technology in STEM learning environments. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to understanding how students learn science and how education can be optimized to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Experience

Dr. Songer has had an extensive academic and administrative career, serving as Associate Provost of STEM Education at the University of Utah since 2023. Prior to that, she was Dean of the College of Education at the University of Utah (2020-2023), and held leadership roles at Drexel University, including Distinguished University Professor and Dean of the School of Education (2014-2020). From 2004-2014, she was a Professor and Director at the University of Michigan, where she led the Center for Essential Science. Dr. Songer has also worked extensively with urban school districts, including the School District of Philadelphia and the Detroit Public Schools, leading partnerships to improve STEM education and student outcomes in under-resourced schools. She has received numerous accolades for her leadership in STEM reform and science education.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Songer has received numerous prestigious honors throughout her career, including the AAAS Women in STEM Superhero Award (2022), the NSF Presidential Faculty Fellow Award (1995), and election as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2006). She has also been a Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Brazil (2019-2020) and a Fulbright Specialist in Turkmenistan (2013). Dr. Songer’s leadership and contributions to science education have been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and she is a long-serving member of various advisory boards and review panels. Her impact extends globally, having worked on international STEM reforms and educational policy development.

Research Focus

Dr. Songer’s research focuses on science education, STEM reform, and the integration of learning technologies in K-12 education. She investigates how curricula can be designed to foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and engagement with real-world issues. Her work emphasizes the development of educational tools and strategies that promote scientific literacy and problem-solving skills. She is particularly interested in the intersection of science and engineering practices, and her research aims to understand how these disciplines can be integrated effectively in classrooms to enhance student learning. Her work has had a lasting impact on science curriculum design, teacher professional development, and the use of technology in education.

Publication Top Notes

  • How do we design curricula to foster innovation, motivation and interest in STEM learning? (2023) 🧑‍🏫💡
  • How do interdisciplinary teams co-construct instructional materials emphasising both science and engineering practices? (2022) 🔬🤝
  • Eco-Solutioning: The Design and Evaluation of a Curricular Unit to Foster Students’ Creation of Solutions to Address Local Socio-Scientific Issues (2021) 🌱🔧
  • Navigated learning: An approach for differentiated classroom instruction built on learning science and data science foundations (2020) 📊🧠
  • Science education and the learning sciences as coevolving species (2014) 🔬📚
  • Characterizing Teachers’ Verbal Scaffolds to Guide Elementary Students’ Creation of Scientific Explanations (2013) 🗣️👩‍🔬
  • Evaluating the Usability of a Professional Modeling Tool Repurposed for Middle School Learning (2013) 🧑‍💻📚
  • Validity evidence for learning progression-based assessment items that fuse core disciplinary ideas and science practices (2013) 📊✅
  • Digital Resources Versus Cognitive Tools: A Discussion of Learning Science with Technology (2013) 🖥️🧠
  • Shifts and convergences in science learning and instruction (2013) 🔄🔬

Conclusion

The individual under consideration for the “Research for Best Researcher Award” exhibits exceptional strengths in both academic achievement and leadership within the field of STEM education. They have consistently demonstrated the ability to foster innovation, influence policy, and improve educational outcomes through research and practice. Their international contributions and focus on underserved communities further distinguish them as a leader in the field.While there are areas for potential growth, such as enhancing public engagement and expanding their research methodology, these do not diminish the researcher’s substantial contributions. Given their longstanding impact, collaborative work, and recognition within the field, this researcher is highly deserving of the “Research for Best Researcher Award.” Their ongoing dedication to advancing STEM education and learning technologies will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of education.