Visiting Researcher / Scholar

 

Dr. Chun-Yen Chang gave an invited seminar

"Developing Pre-service Science Teachers’ Ability in Integrating ICT and Teaching," at the Center for STEM Education, on March 18. Currently Dr. Chang serves as the Director of Science Education Center at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), Research Chair Professor of NTNU, Adjunct Professor of the Graduate Institute of Science Education and the Department of Earth Sciences as well as the President of the National Association for Science Education in Taiwan. He has authored and co-authored more than 80 articles. His research on automatic scoring of science open-ended questions was selected as one of National Science Council 50 Great Achievements. Dr. Chang received his Ph.D. in Science Education from UT Austin in 1996. Dr. Chang is pictured here with Dr. Barufaldi, Director of the Center for STEM Education and students in his graduate class, Research on Professional Development in STEM Education.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Steve Muzos is spending a sabbatical leave at the CMSE during the 2009-2010 academic year.

He received his Ph.D. in Science Education from The University of Texas at Austin in 1979. Dr. Addison Lee was his major professor and Dr. Jim Barufaldi was a member of his committee. He is particularly interested in student learning styles, critical thinking skills, and misconceptions in science.

In 1973 Dr. Muzos was one of the founding faculty members of Austin Community College, Austin, Texas, where he served as Biology Department Chair for several years and currently is a Professor of Biology. He has extensive experience in curriculum development for undergraduate biology courses, and has taught several introductory classes for science majors and non-majors as well as ecology and field biology. In addition, he has led several student trips to Belize, Guatemala, and Jamaica during which he taught various classes in marine and tropical forest ecology and biology.
Dr. Muzos is a Director of the American Bamboo Society and past President and Director of the Texas Bamboo Society. He has presented numerous talks on various aspects of growing bamboo as a landscape plant. Currently he is working on an identification key for the clumping bamboos of the genus Bambusa based on their vegetative characteristics. He presented a seminar at the CSME and discussed the characteristics of bamboo as a large woody grass, the various growth patterns of bamboos which are suitable for central Texas landscapes, and what to expect, and not fear, if you plant bamboo.

 

Judy Zawojewski (center), Visiting Scholar in the Center along with Profs. Barufaldi and Carmona.

Prof. Zawojewski has long been interested in the teaching and learning of mathematics in the context of the classroom experience. In particular, she is involved in the development and study of models and modeling as problem solving for middle and high school students, and in engineering education. She is particularly interested in enhancing the mathematics education experience for all students, by tapping a diversity of strengths and perspectives that different students bring to the problem solving and modeling experience.

Dr. Zawojewski received her Ph. D. in teaching and learning processes (specializing in mathematics education) from Northwestern University (1986); M. S. Ed. in mathematics education from National College of Education (1978); B. S. Ed. in mathematics and education from Northwestern University (1973). Dr. Zawojewski publishes for both practitioners and researchers. Her recent work for practitioners includes a series of books for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Navigating through Problem Solving and Reasoning in Grade 3 (2004); Grade 4 (2005); Grade 5(2006); and Grade 6 (in press). Dr. Zawojewski's recent work for researchers includes a series of chapters in Beyond Constructivism: A Models and Modeling Perspective on Problem Solving, Learning and Instruction in Mathematics and Science Education (2003) in which she addresses problem solving and small group activity. Her current collaborative work will result in a chapter on problem solving and modeling for the forthcoming Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning: Volume 2; and chapters (and editorship) for the forthcoming Models and Modeling in Engineering Education: Designing Experiences for All Students.

Dr. Angeles Domínguez

Welcome Dr. Angeles Domínguez! Dr. Domínguez is currently an Associate Professor and Mathematics Academic Coordinator at Tec de Monterrey (Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey -ITESM) in Monterrey, Mexico. Tec de Monterrey is one of the most prestigious private universities in Mexico, most famous for their strong preparation in Engineering and offering programs with a heavy emphasis in Mathematics and Science. In 2001, Dr. Domínguez graduated from Syracuse University with a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education. Dr. Joanna Masingila supervised her doctoral work. Areas of interest include symbolic representation in algebra, in particular, the concept of variable, learning of calculus, evaluation and assessment, in particular using MEAs, and using technology to enhance students' mathematical understanding. At UT Austin she is collaborating with Dr. Lupita Guadalupe Carmona, Assistant Professor, Science and Mathematics Education.

Mrs. Theofano Chimonidou

Mrs. Theofano Chimonidou, physics educator from Cyprus, was invited and hosted by Dr. Barufaldi and Dr. Jill Marshall to serve as a Visiting Researcher at the Center, February/March 2007. The Cyprus-America Scholarship Program (CASP) at AMIDEAST sponsored Mrs. Chimonidou.