Donna R. Sterling is a Professor of Science Education and Director of the Center for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Recognized for her work in helping to improve the teaching of science and technology in elementary and secondary schools, Donna R. Sterling also works with Mason's science and mathematics faculty to investigate research-based effective teaching and learning. Dr. Sterling coordinates the science education programs in the College of Education and Human Development. She has extensive experience in designing, directing, and evaluating science education programs. She teaches science education leadership courses in the master's and doctoral science education leadership programs and science teaching courses in the secondary teacher licensure program.

 

Dr. Sterling is the principal investigator for numerous teacher professional development and research grants. Among her projects are the New Science Teachers’ Support Network for provisionally licensed science teachers and Science Camp for training preservice teachers to conduct problem-based learning with children. Her research interests span teacher professional development, effective science teaching and learning, assessment, and leadership in science education. She has received funding from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Carnegie Institute of Washington, Dominion Virginia Power, National Science Foundation, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Education.

 

Dr. Sterling has served as a research scientist, a science and mathematics teacher, a teacher educator, a curriculum developer, and a program director for education projects from kindergarten through graduate school.  Dr. Sterling is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and an author of over 100 articles, books, and reports.

 

• Effective Science Teaching and Learning
• Teacher Professional Development
• Leadership in Science Education
• Assessing Student Understanding

Wilcox, D. R., & Sterling, D. R. (2008, April/May). Bring the zoo to you! Science and Children 45(8), 42-45.

 

Simms-Smith, A., & Sterling, D. R. (2008, March) Wade in the Water: School, Parent, and Community Collaboration. Science Scope 31(7), 73-75.

 

Frazier, W. M., & Sterling, D. R. (2008, February). Motor mania: Revving up for technological design. The Technology Teacher 67(5), 5-12.

 

Sterling, D. R. (2008, January). Assessing student presentations from three perspectives. Science Scope 31(5), 34-37.

 

Logerwell, M. G., & Sterling, D. R. (2007, December) Fun with ionic compounds. The Science Teacher 74(9), 27-33.

 

Sterling, D. R. (2007, December). Modeling problem-based instruction. Science and Children 45(4), 50-53.

 

Sterling, D. R., Matkins, J. J., Frazier, W. M., & Logerwell, M. G. (2007). Science camp as a transformative experience for students, parents, and teachers in the urban setting. School Science and Mathematics 107(4), 134-148.

 

Frazier, W. M., & Sterling, D. R. (2007, March). Weather Tamers. Science Scope 30(7), 26-31.

 

Simms-Smith, A., & Sterling, D. R. (2006, December) Mail time! Addressing student questions in science class. Science Scope 30(4), 59-60.

 

Sikes, E., & Sterling, D. R. (2006, October). Assessment with pumpkins. Science Scope 30(2), 25-29.

 

Sterling, D. R. (2006, October). Thinking metric. Science and Children 44(2), 48-51.

 

Smith, L. A., Sterling, D. R., & Moyer, P. S. (2006, October). Activities that really measure up. Science and Children 44(2), 30-33.

 

Sterling, D. R. (2006, September). A change in seasons: Increasing student observation skills. Science Scope 30(1), 24-29.

 

Wilcox, D. R., & Sterling, D. R. (2006, Summer). Twisters, tall tales, and science teaching. Science Scope 29(8), 36-41.

 

Sterling, D. R., & Frazier, W. M. (2006, April/May). Collaboration with community partners. The Science Teacher 73(4), 28-31.

 

Quinlan, K., & Sterling, D. R. (2006, January). Inquiry-based investigation on the Internet: Sound and the human ear. Science Scope 29(4), 26-29.

 

Mannikko, A. B., & Sterling, D. R. (2005, October). Making sense of topographic maps. Science Scope 29(2), 34-37, 39-40.

 

Roche, S., & Sterling, D. R. (2005, Summer). Presenting mitosis. Science Scope 28(8), 52-53. Retrieved July 18, 2005 from http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/science_scope.php?category_ID=87&news_story_ID=50725

 

Sterling, D. R. (2005, January). Assessing understanding. Science Scope 28(4), 33-37.

 

Favorite Links (each opens in a new window)

• The Center for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology website describes science education research and teaching at George Mason University. It also contains links to helpful online science education resources - http://cehd.gmu.edu/crest/

• Graduate School of Education
• Center for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology
• Instructional Technology
• Science Education Leadership
• Secondary Education 6-12

• Science Education History and Research (EDCI - 892)

• Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School (EDCI - 673)
• Leadership and Organizational Issues in Science Education (EDCI - 693)
• Research in Science Technology (EDCI - 663)
• Curriculum Development and Evaluation in Science Education (EDCI - 683)
• Science Education Research (EDCI - 795)
• Advanced Topics in Education (EDCI - 797)
• Science Teaching and Learning (EDCI - 891)
• Science Education Leadership and Policy (EDCI - 894)