Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

This study explores how science teachers in the U.S. and Australia—two countries with comparable educational standards—interpret the epistemic messages of astronomy lessons. Through interviews and classroom observations, we examine how teachers identify and adapt epistemic messages within astronomy-based lessons and how they adapt messages towards student learning outcomes. Data will guide a framework for teacher-driven and informed development of high-quality instructional materials in astronomy. Findings will explicate how teachers perceive and reshape the implicit and explicit epistemic messaging of astronomy resources, and how those changes affect student uptake of scientific and astronomical ideas.

Biography:

Christine Hirst Bernhardt is President-Elect of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, US NAEC and STEM Education Coordinator for NOVA SySTEMic. An expert in Earth and Space education, she has led national curriculum and professional development initiatives and was awarded the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship and ASP's Excellence in Astronomy Teaching Award. Her research centers educators in fostering students’ epistemic agency. Christine holds a Ph.D. in Science Education (UMD), two master’s degrees (Space Studies, UND; Science Education, CSUN), and flew on NASA’s SOFIA mission as an Education Ambassador. She serves on Cosmic Girls and NARST boards, and is an early-career researcher with NSF’s Astro-Accel project