John Staver

Professor 
Science Education and Chemistry
Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Department of Chemistry
Co-Director of the 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.

Education

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

Selected Publications

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

• 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

Courses Taught

EDCI 365A

Teaching Science in Elementary School

Professional 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