Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences


Michael Clough  


Curriculum & Instruction
Associate Professor

Education: Ph.D., Science Education, University of Iowa, 1994; M.A.T., Science Education, University of Iowa, 1985; B.A., Biology (Cum Laude), Drake University, 1982.

Research Interests: Effective science teaching and science teacher education; the nature of science and its implications for effectively teaching and learning science; the biological evolution/intelligent design/creationism public education controversy; effective school science laboratory learning; impact of teacher behavior on student engagement.

Office: N162C Lagomarcino Hall
Phone: +1.515.294.1430
Fax: +1.515.294.6206
Email: mclough@iastate.edu

Other Links: Vita
URL:

Highlighted Publications

  • Clough, M. P., Berg, C. A. & Olson, J. K. (In Press). Promoting Effective Science Teacher Education and Science Teaching: A Framework for Teacher Decision-Making. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. Available on-line http://www.springerlink.com/contentl37571ku87wI67851I?p=39a591bca01342ebaba81eb490ea96bb&pi=3

  • Clough, M. P. & Olson, J. K. (2008). Guest Editors, The Nature of Science: Its Teaching and Assessment Special Issue of Science & Education, 17 (2-3), 143-315.

  • Metz, D., Klassen, S., McMillan, B., Clough, M., & Olson, J. (2007). Building a Foundation for the Use of Historical Narratives. Science & Education. 16(3-5), 313-334.

  • Clough, M. P. (2007). Teaching the Nature of Science to Secondary and Post-Secondary Students: Questions Rather Than Tenets, The Pantaneto Forum, Issue 25, http://www.pantaneto.co.uk/issue25/front25.htm, January. Republished (2008) in the California Journal of Science Education, 8(2), 31-40.

  • Lunetta, V. N., Hofstein, A. & Clough, M. P. (2007). Learning and Teaching in the School Science Laboratory: An Analysis of Research, Theory, and Practice. Chapter 15, in S.K. Abell & N.G. Lederman (Eds.) Handbook of Research on Science Education, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, New Jersey.  pp. 393-441.

  • Clough, M.P. (2006). Learners' Responses to the Demands of Conceptual Change: Considerations for Effective Nature of Science Instruction. Science & Education, 15(5), 463-494.

  • Clough, M.P. (2006). The Essential Role of the Nature of Science in Learning about Evolutionary  Biology: Strategies for Enhancing Acceptance of Evolution. Chapter I-6 in W.F. McComas (Ed.) Investigating Evolutionary Biology in the Laboratory, Kendall Hunt, Dubuque. pp. 69-81.

  • Clough, M. P. (2004).  The Nature of Science: Understanding How the "Game" of Science is Played.  Chapter 8 in J. Weld (Ed.) The Game of Science Education, Allyn and Bacon. pp. 198-227.

  • Clough, M. P. & Olson, J. K. (2004). The Nature of Science: Always Part of the Science Story. The Science Teacher, 71(9), 28-31.

  • Clough, M. P. (2002). Using The Laboratory To Enhance Student Learning. Chapter 8 in R. W. Bybee (Ed.) Learning Science and the Science of Learning, 2002 NSTA Yearbook. National Science Teachers Association, Washington, D.C. pp. 85-94.

  • Olson, J. K. & Clough, M. P. (2001).  Technology's Tendency to Undermine Serious Study:  A Cautionary Note. The Clearing House, 75(1), 8-13.

Professional Experience

  • 2005 Iowa State University Associate Professor (8/05 to present)
  • 1999 Iowa State University (8/99 to 7/05) Assistant Professor
  • 1997 The University of Iowa (8/96 to 7/99) Visiting Assistant Professor
  • 1996 Eau Claire Memorial High School (8/90 to 6196) Instructor: Biology and Chemistry
  • 1995 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1195 to 5/95) Instructor: Biology Methods
  • 1990 The University of Iowa (1/90 to 5/90) Instructor: Meaning of Science
  • 1987 The University of Iowa (1187 to 5/90) Teaching Assistant: Secondary Science Methods II, Secondary Science Methods III, Elementary Science Methods, and Science in Historical Perspective.
  • 1985 Sherrard Jr./Sr. High School Instructor: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics

Courses Taught

CI347, CI 418, CI 468J, CI 468K, CI 514, CI 518, CI 547, CI 548, CI 590C, CI 591D, CI 599C, CI 615C, CI 690C, CI 699C        

Current Duties

  • Co-Coordinator, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Science Education Secondary Licensure Program
  • Teaching: Introduction into the Complexities of Learning and Teaching Science; Secondary Science Methods I; Secondary Science Methods II; Nature of Science and Science Education; Restructuring Science Activities; and Supervision of Science Student Teachers and Interns.
  • Faculty Senate Representative for Curriculum & Instruction Department

Selected Honors and Awards

  • 2008 Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award, Iowa State University
  • 2006 Career Achievement in Teaching Award, Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences
  • 2003 Science Teacher Educator of the Year -Early Career Award, Association for Science Teacher Education
  • 1994 Regional Award for Excellence in Science Education, Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers
  • 1992 National Tandy Scholar Outstanding Science Teacher Award.
  • 1989 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, The University of Iowa

Significant Grants

  • Olson, J. K., Clough, M. P., Whaley, D., & Huey, G. (2008). Project Title: Seamless Transitions into and Through Science Teacher Education." Proposal submitted to the State of Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership. Submitted for and funded at $58,496.

  • Clough, M. P., Olson, J. K., Stanley, M., Colbert, 1. & Cervato, C. (2006). Project Title: Humanizing Science to Improve Post-Secondary Science Education: Pursuing the Second Tier. Proposal (Number 0618446) submitted to the National Science Foundation Course Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) Phase II (Expansion) Program. Submitted for and funded at $293,718. August 2006 through May 2009.

  • Teacher Education Goes into Virtual Schooling, Department of Education, $58,1849, 9/30/2007
    Modifying Science Activities for Improved Science Teaching and Learning, Council Bluffs Community School District, $13,000, 6/30/2004.

  • Recruiting, Educating, Inducting, Supporting and Retaining Mathematics and Science Teachers to Improve the Quality of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education for K-12 Students in the 21st Century, Department of Education, $150,000, 12/30/2003.

  • Modifying Science Activities for Improved Science Teaching and Learning, Council Bluffs Community School District, $13,000, 6/30/2003.

  • Recruiting, Educating, Inducting, Supporting and Retaining Mathematics and Science Teachers to Improve the Quality of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education for K-12 Students in the 21st Century, Department of Education, $250,000, 5/1/2003.

Extension and Outreach

  • Olson, J. K., Clough, M. P., & Herman, B. C. Enhancing Supervision Practices in Secondary Science." Full day workshop for university secondary science supervisors and cooperating teachers. Iowa State University, Ames, IA. February 11,2009.

  • Olson, J. K., & Clough, M. P. Partnerships for successful science teaching. Full day workshop conducted for university secondary science supervisors and cooperating teachers. Des Moines, IA. October 16,2008.

  • Clough, M. P. & Olson, J.K. The Nature of Science: Implications for Teaching and Learning Science. Full day workshop for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee· science teacher education program. July 9,2007.

  • Clough, M. P. Science Inquiry and the Nature of Science. Half-day workshop for Area Education Agency 11 in Johnston, lA, March 1, 2007.

  • Clough, M. P. Creating and Implementing Inquiry Learning Experiences that Promote Deep Conceptual Understanding of Fundamental Science Ideas. Two-day workshop for the Community Unit School District #303, S1. Charles, Illinois, August 3-4, 2006.

  • Berg, C. A. & Clough, M. P. The Learning Cycle: A Powerful Strategy for Promoting Learning. Two day workshop for the Moore County School District, Moore County, North Carolina, June 6-7, 2005.

  • Olson, J. K. & Clough, M. P. Learning Through Inquiry: A Powerful and Complex Strategy for Promoting Learning. One day workshop for the Community Unit School District #303, St. Charles, Illinois, February 18, 2005.

  • Clough, M. P. The Crucial Role of Teacher Behaviors and Interaction Patterns in Implementing Inquiry Laboratory Experiences. One-day workshop for Eastern Kentucky University project funded by the National Science Foundation. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, January 7, 2005.

  • Clough, M. P., Editor, Iowa Science Teachers Journal, Summer 2005 to Spring 2008. Associate Editor, Fall 2008 through Spring 2010.

  • Clough, M. P. President-Elect, Iowa Science Teachers Section (ISTS), Iowa Academy of Science, 2004-05. President 2005-06, Past President 2006-07.

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