Dr. Vickie Harry, professor of education at Clarion University, explained "Researching Inquiry-based Science Initiatives in International Schools," as part of the Clarion University Faculty Author Series.

            Harry, currently on sabbatical, has become internationally known for science education. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. degrees from Clarion University and her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. She has been a Clarion University faculty member since 1994.

 

Dr. Vickie Harry

           "I have had a wonderful life and career," said Harry. "I credit Dr. Ken Mechling, Clarion University faculty emeritus, for getting me involved in projects that changed my life. Through Clarion's science education course I became a risk taker. This has led me to 31 years of trying to reform science education. This project during my sabbatical is telling me it is making a difference."

            Harry is basing her research on her work with the Mediterranean Association of International Schools (MAIS), a 30-member group of countries in the Mediterranean and Africa, who used American based curriculum taught by American teachers in international classrooms. She has also taught the inquiry-based approach to non-English speaking groups. Through MAIS, Harry has taught inquiry-based science in Portugal, Spain, Egypt, and Italy, reaching 14,000 in Egypt and 17,000 in Portugal through these efforts.

            Harry brought inquiry-based science teaching to the audience by leading them in several hands-on experiments using simple, everyday items.

            "I hope to triangulate the data and write a report on whether the initiatives found in the international programs are a result of the inquiry-based approach," said Harry.

            The goal of the Faculty Author Seminar Series is to establish a forum for faculty to share their scholarly activities with the university campus community and provides an opportunity to foster collegial relationships among different academic disciplines.

            Upcoming during Fall 2009 is a presentation by Dr. Sandra Trejos, Monday, Nov. 11.

            The Faculty Affairs Committee of Faculty Senate in cooperation with the University Libraries sponsors the series. The Clarion University-Wide Faculty Development Committee's Presidential Advancement Award funds this initiative.  For further information, contact pkolencik@clarion.edu.

            Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.