Science

Science education research at CRDG began with the Foundational Approaches in Science Teaching (FAST) program in 1966. The three-year middle school FAST curriculum was novel in its authentic reflection of the practices of science—where students learn by experiencing the joys and frustrations of advancing and testing hypotheses; understanding that errors and misdirections are normal steps; and building the idea that even a well-supported hypothesis is tentative and subject to revision. FAST began a legacy of constructivist philosophy of learning at CRDG that continues today.

Constructivism makes the assumptions that learners build their own knowledge and understanding from their experiences. Knowledge development is incremental, and the knowledge that people hold in common is developed and clarified through interaction with others. Translated into classroom practice, students engage in experiential, hands-on learning through investigations that are carefully sequenced and connected to previous experience. This model places students in small collaborative groups with the teacher in the role of facilitator rather than an authority from whom knowledge is acquired.

CRDG’s current science program build upon and extends our long tradition in constructivism. Although new projects are firmly rooted in the twenty-first century, employing such strategies as interactive online delivery, online learning communities for teacher professional development, and citizen science as an organizing theme, the projects are also the beneficiaries of fifty years of research into how best to develop scientifically literate students who have both the background necessary for understanding the issues we face in our technological society and the foundational tools for further study in science.

Projects

Teaching Science as Inquiry (TSI): Aquatic

Teaching Science as Inquiry: Our Project in Hawai‘i’s Intertidal (TSI: OPIHI)

Exploring Our Fluid Earth (EOFE)

The Exploring Our Fluid Earth curriculum is grounded in the inquiry approach to learning and examines marine and freshwater systems of the earth by studying the influence of water on the planet.

Voice of the Sea

Voice of the Sea is an original, half-hour TV that showcases researchers, scientists, and cultural practitioners throughout Hawai‘i and the Pacific, promoting STEM careers and breaking down misconceptions about who scientists are and what science careers look like.

seaHarmony

seaHarmony matches researchers with educators, managers, and community groups to help foster new collaborations based on algorithms of compatibility. Similar to online dating sites (but with the goal of professional collaboration), seaHarmony connects participants who share similar ocean science interests and needs. Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence – Island Earth, University of Hawai‘i.

Selected Publications

Please see project pages for project-related publications. Please see CRDG Year in Review for publications prior to 2010.

Lemus, J., Seraphin, K. D., Coopersmith, A., & Veary-Correa, C. K. (2014). Infusing traditional knowledge into communicating ocean sciences courses at the University of Hawai‘i. Journal of Geoscience Education, 62(1), 5–10.

Duncan Seraphin, K., Philippoff, J., Parisky, A., Degnan, K., & Papini Warren, D. (2012). Teaching energy science as inquiry: Reflections on professional development as a tool to build inquiry teaching skills for middle and high school teachers. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 1–17.

Young, D. B., Brown, B., Oshiro, E., Schlosser, J., Lorenzana, R., Slovin, H., Brandon, P. R., Zenigami, F. K., Nguyen, T. T., & Pottenger, F. M. (2012). Designing professional development for educators v 9.3. Honolulu, HI: Hawai‘i Department of Education.

Young, D. B, Pottenger, F. M., Brennan, C. A., Brandon, P., and Nguyen, T. T. (2012).Science and engineering in early education: a conceptual framework for improving teaching and learning. Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference Science Education in the School of the Information Age (pp. 233–253). Moscow, Russia.

Pottenger, F. M. (2012). Inquiry: A mechanism for an articulated curriculum. Proceedings of the Dankook University’s 65^th Anniversary International Seminar, Seoul, Korea.

Papini Warren, D., K. Duncan Seraphin, L.R. Wilkins, & F.D. Rego. (2011). Engineering energy solutions: Facilitating hands-on design projects for middle and high school students via a statewide professional development program for teachers. Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Education 2011 Annual Conference & Exposition Conference, June 2011. https://peer.asee.org/engineering-energy-solutions-facilitating-hands-on

Duncan Seraphin, K. (2010). A partnership approach to improving student attitudes about sharks and scientists. School Science and Mathematics, 110: 203–219.

Presentations

Brennan, C. A. (2015, May). Modeling erosion with real stuff. Paper presented at the National Science Teachers Association National Convention, Chicago, IL.

Brennan, C. A. (2015, October). Commencement remarks to honors students. Presentation at Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow, Russia.

Brennan, C. A. (2015, October). Modes of inquiry used in early childhood education. Paper presented at an International Conference on Strategies for Higher Education Results, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow, Russia.

Brennan, C. A. (2015, October). Studying STEM subjects in elementary school. Paper presented at the International Conference on Strategies for Higher Education Results, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow, Russia.

Harrison, G. M., Lewis, N., & Brandon, P. R. (2015, September). Applying the theory of planned behavior to model evaluators’ research-on-evaluation beliefs and involvement. Paper presented at the meeting of the Hawai’i-Pacific Evaluation Association, Kane‘ohe, HI.

Harrison, G. M., Lewis, N., Ah Sam, A., & Brandon, P. R. (2015, April). Evaluators’ perceptions of published research on evaluation. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Evaluation Association, Chicago, IL.

Philippoff, J., & Seraphin, K. D. (2015, June). Exploring Our Fluid Earth online curriculum: Virtual tour and sample sand. Paper presented at the National Marine Educators Association annual conference, Newport, RI.

Philippoff, J. (2015, May). OPIHI: Our project in Hawai‘i’s intertidal: A citizen science story. Presented at the Hanauma Bay lecture series “Society and You”, Honolulu, HI.

Philippoff, J. (2015, October). OPIHI: Our project in Hawai‘i’s intertidal. Presented at a STEMplus: Crossing boundaries & building communities citizen science session titled “Ahupua‘a: Monitoring water quality,” Honolulu, HI.

Philippoff, J., & Seraphin, K. D. (2015, August). OPIHI: Our project in Hawai‘i’s intertidal. Presented on “Likeable Science,” a television show through ThinkTech Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI.

Philippoff, J., & Vallin, L. M. (2015, September). Where do you draw the line? Ethical dilemmas in external evaluation. Roundtable presented at the meeting of the Hawai’i-Pacific Evaluation Association, Kane‘ohe, HI.

Philippoff, J., Faucci, A., & Seraphin, K. D. (2015, June). OPIHI: Our project in Hawai‘i’s intertidal and plankton cards: Teacher professional development opportunities. Paper presented at the meeting of the Hawai‘i Environmental Education Alliance conference, Honolulu, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., & Philippoff, J. (2015, January). Pilot evaluation of the television series Voice of the Sea. Paper presented at the meeting of the Hawai‘i Educational Research Association annual conference, Honolulu, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., Philippoff, J., & Faucci, A. (2015, October). OPIHI: Our project in Hawai‘i’s intertidal. Presented on “Bytemarks Cafe”, a radio program on Hawai‘i Public Radio hosted by Ryan Ozawa and Burt Lum, Honolulu, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., & Philippoff, J. (2015, April). Voice of the Sea TV: Learning from experts across the ocean.Presented at Hanauma Bay, Honolulu, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., & Philippoff, J. (2015, August). Voice of the Sea TV: Learning from experts across the ocean. Paper presented at the Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, Hilo, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., & Philippoff, J. (2015, January). Pilot Evaluation of the Television Series Voice of the Sea. Paper presented at the meeting of the Hawai‘i Educational Research Association, Honolulu, HI.

Seraphin, K. D., & J. Philippoff. (2015, January). Pilot evaluation of the television series Voice of the Sea. Paper presented at the meeting of the Hawai‘i Educational Research Association, Honolulu, HI.

For More Information

Kanesa Seraphin
kanesa@hawaii.edu

Joanna Philippoff
philippo@hawaii.edu

Science

Projects

Teaching Science as Inquiry (TSI): Aquatic