Department of Curriculum and Instruction Webpage

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John Staver

Professor
Science Education and Chemistry
Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Department of Chemistry
Co-Director, Center for Research and Engagement in Science and Mathematics Education (CRESME)

Research

Constructivist epistemology and its implications for improving science teaching and learning. The interface between science and religion within a constructivist perspective, with a focus on the nature of each discipline and current societal conflicts between them.

 

Appointments on National/International Organizations

  • Fellow
    American Educational Research Association
  • Fellow
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • Co-editor
    Journal of Science Teacher Education


Education

Ed.D. Indiana University, 1978, Science Education
M.S. Purdue University, 1973, Chemistry
B.S. Indiana University, 1968, Education


Publications

  • Staver, J. R. (2010). Skepticism, truth as coherence, and constructivist epistemology: Grounds for resolving the discord between science and religion? Cultural Studies in Science Education, 5(1), 19-39.

  • Staver, J. R. (2008). Teaching science. Brussels, Belgium: International Academy of Science.

  • Simmons, P., Brunkhorst, H., Lunetta, V., Penick, J., Peterson, J., Pietrucha, B., & Staver, J.R. (2005). Developing a research agenda in science education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 14(2), 239-252.

  • Kelly, M. P. & Staver, J. R. (2005). A case study of one school system's adoption and implementation of an elementary science program. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42(1), 25-52.

  • Staver, J.R. (2003). Evolution and intelligent design: Understanding the issues and dealing with the controversy in a standards-based manner. The Science Teacher. 70(8), 32-35.

  • Wang, J. & Staver, J.R. (2001). Examining relationships between factors of science education and student career aspirations. Journal of Educational Research, 94(5), 312-319.

  • Staver, J. R. (1998). Constructivism: Sound theory for explicating the practice of science and science teaching. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 35(5), p 501-520.

  • Staver, J.R. & Lumpe, A.T. (1995). Two investigations of students' understanding of the mole concept and its use in problem solving. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 32 (2), 177-193.

  • Staver, J.R. & Jacks, T. (1988). The influence of cognitive reasoning level, cognitive restructuring ability, disembedding ability, working memory capacity, and prior knowledge on students performance on balancing equations by inspection. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 25(9), 763-775.

  • Greenbowe, T., Herron, J.D., Lucas, C., Nurrenbern, S., Staver, J.R., & Ward, C.R. (alphabetical order) (1981). Teaching preadolescents to act as scientists: Replication and extension of an earlier study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 73(5), 705-711.

  • Staver, J.R. & Gabel, D.L. (1979). The development and construct validation of a group-administered test of formal thought. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 16(6), 535-544


Experience

2006-Present Professor of Education (Science) and Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (tenured)
2006-Present Co-Director, Center for Research & Engagement in Science & Mathematics, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN
2006-2007 Interim Director, Indiana Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Resource Network (I-STEM), Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
1991-1996 Executive Secretary, National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
1988-2006 Director, Center for Science Education, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
1988-2006 Professor of Education (Science), Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS (tenured)
1986-1988 Associate Professor of Education and Natural Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL (tenured)
1981-1986 Assistant Professor of Education and Natural Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
1978-1981 Assistant Professor of Science Education, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
1978-1980 Program Director, Elementary Education, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
1977-1978 Research Associate, Science Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
1975-1977 Associate Instructor, Science Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
1969-1975 Science Teacher, MSD of Washington Township, North Central High School, Indianapolis, IN
1968-1969 Science Teacher, Indianapolis Public Schools, Arlington High School, Indianapolis, IN


Courses

EDCI 365A Teaching Science in Elementary School