Science Education

Education: Ph.D., Curriculum & Instruction, Science Education , University of Southern California, 1999; M.A., Education, The Claremont Graduate University, 1993; B.A., Liberal Studies, (summa cum laude), California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, 1991.

Research Interests: Science Education, science teaching practices pre-K - adult, elementary teacher preparation, science teacher decision-making, assessment in science classrooms, the nature of science and technology and their impacts on science learning.

Office: N165E Lagomarcino Hall
Phone: +1.515.294.3315
Fax: +1.515.294.3315
Email: jkolson@iastate.edu

Other Links: Vita
URL:

Highlighted Publications (selected from 24 publications)

• Olson, J. K., & Finson, K. (accepted). Developmental perspectives on reflective practices of elementary science education students. Accepted for publication in the Journal of Elementary Science Education.
• 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 & Mathematics Education.
• Olson, J. K. (2008). Concept-focused teaching: Using big ideas to guide instruction in science. Science & Children, 46, 45-49.
• Metz, D., Klassen, S., McMillan, B., Clough, M. P., & Olson, J. K. (2007). Building a foundation for the use of historical narratives. Science & Education, 16, 313-334.
• Colbert, J. T., Olson, J. K., & Clough, M. P. (2007). Using the Web to Encourage Student-Generated Questions in Large Format Introductory Biology Classes. Journal of Cell Biology-Life Sciences Education, 6, 42-48.
• Olson, J. K. (2007). Preservice teachers' thinking within a research-based framework: What informs decisions? International Journal of Science & Mathematics Education, 5, 49-83.
• Olson, J. K. (2006). The myth of catering to learning styles. Science & Children, 43, 56-57.
• Olson, J. K. & Appleton, K. (2006). Considering curriculum for elementary science methods courses. In K. Appleton (Ed.). Elementary science teacher education: International perspectives on contemporary issues and practice (pp. 127-151). New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum in association with ASTE. 
• Olson, J. K., & Katz, A. (2005). Strategies for assessing learning: How can teachers document what students know? In A. K. Fathman & D. Crowther (Eds.). English through Science: A guide for developing skills in English and Science (pp. 61-78). Arlington VA: NSTA Press. 
• Madsen, A. J., & Olson, J. K. (2005). Student teachers’ use of learning theories to diagnose children’s learning difficulties. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 17, 55-68.

Professional Experience
2005-present     Associate Professor, Science Education, Iowa State University
1999-2005         Assistant Professor, Science Education, Iowa State University
1998-1999         Lecturer, Science Education, California State University, Long Beach
1995-1999         Lecturer, Science Education, University of Southern California
1998-1999         Exhibit Evaluator, California Science Center
1996-1997         Elementary Science Teacher (Grades 3-5), Los Angeles Unified School District
1995-1996         Science Teacher (Grade 6), Los Angeles Unified School District
1992-1995         Science Teacher (Grades 7-8), Arcadia Unified School District, CA

Current Duties
Co-direct the secondary science MAT licensure program at ISU; coordinate all sections of elementary science methods; collaborate on grant projects with LAS; conduct research; supervise graduate students; teach graduate and undergraduate courses; serve on advisory boards for Ames Community Schools, Science Center of Iowa; conduct professional development for science teachers; Associate Editor of Journal of Elementary Science Education; Director-at-Large of the Association for Science Teacher Education.

Major Fields Of Research/Teaching
Research: Science Teacher Preparation at Elementary and Secondary Levels, Science Teachers’ Decision-Making Practices, Non-traditional Science Learning Settings, the Nature of Science and Science Education
Teaching: Advanced Pedagogy in Science Education, Elementary and Secondary Science Methods, Curriculum Theory, How People Learn and Implications for Teaching Science

Courses Taught
CI 280M, CI 439, CI 490C, CI 514, CI 546, CI 590C, CI 599C, CI 615C, CI 699C

Selected Honors And Awards Since 2002

2005 Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE)

2004 NARST Outstanding Paper Award National Association for Research in Science Teaching

2002   Iowa State University Foundation Award for Early Achievement in Teaching

Significant Grants (selected from $1.2 million in funded projects)

• Wurtele, E., Bassham, D., Dickerson, J., Zoe, M., & Olson, J. (2007). “Meta!Blast: A cell and metabolic biology interactive learning environment for high school students.” Project funded by the National Institutes of Health. Funded at $735,988.
• Olson, J. K., Clough, M. P., Whaley, D., & Huey, G. (2008). “Seamless transitions into and through science teacher education.” Project funded by the State of Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership. Fully funded at $58,496.
• Clough, M. P., Olson, J. K., Colbert, J. T., Cervato, C., Stanley, M. (2006). Humanizing Science to Improve Post-Secondary Science Education: Pursuing the Second-Tier. Proposal funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) CCLI Program. Proposal Number 0618446. Funded at $293,718.

• Olson, J. K. (2006). Enhancing Science Instruction for English Language Learners, Iowa Department of Education, $70,000.

• Olson, J. K. (2003-2004). Modifying Science Activities for Improved Science Teaching and Learning, Council Bluffs Community School District, $26,000, 6/30/2004

• Olson, J. K. (2003). Individual Education Plan Training, Iowa Department of Education, $15,825.

• Olson, J. K. (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, $400,000.

Extension and Outreach

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