Dickerson to Speak about Enhancing the Teaching of Science

Daniel Dickerson, an Old Dominion University faculty member who does research aimed at improving science instruction in elementary and middle schools, will speak in the Spring Seminar Series of ODU's Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography Monday, Feb. 15.

The seminar, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 3200 of the Research Innovation Building 1, is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served beginning at 3.

Dickerson, an associate professor in the Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies in the Darden College of Education, works with schools in the region through a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that goes by the name of B-WET (Bay-Watershed Education and Training). He develops tools and approaches that will promote effective teaching of scientific processes and content to a diverse group of learners.

The topic of his presentation is "Science Education Advancing Research of the Chesapeake Bay and its Habitats (SEARCH): A Description of a NOAA B-WET Project."

SEARCH is designed to enhance the scientific literacy of urban teachers and students, as well as to increase interest in science among portions of the population that are underrepresented in earth/environmental science fields. Participants use buoys and probeware to conduct citizen science, and are encouraged to share what they discover with the community.