Paul Adams, Ph.D.

Anshutz Professor of Education
Professor of Physics

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy, May 1996
  Major:  Curriculum & Instruction:
  Science Education; Science Cognate: Earth System Science & Physics
  Dissertation: Beginning Teacher Cognition: A Case Study of Four Secondary Science TeachersPurdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• Masters of Science, August 1986
  Major:  Physics
  Thesis:  Physics Laboratories for Elementary Teachers
  Teacher Certification: 7-12 Physics, 7-12 Mathematics
  Washington State University, Pullman, WA
• Bachelors of Science, May 1983
  Majors:  Physics and Mathematics
  Heidelberg College, Tiffin, OH
  

Interests:
My expertise in science education falls into three areas: secondary science teacher development, use of alternative assessment in science teaching K-16, and the use of technology in the science classroom.  Recently I have been expanding my work into middle school science.  I also have been recognized, nationally and internationally, for my expertise in the area of education and public outreach in connection with the CALIPSO Satellite mission and the AIM satellite missions in collaboration with Hampton University, Virginia.  A current example of my work in the area of teacher development is a collaborative project with Emporia State University to improve pedagogical content knowledge of middle school teachers using the research-based modeling method of science and mathematics instruction.  Other examples in this area can be found in my vita.  A common thread of my work is the integration of mathematics and science disciplines as well as the use of technology appropriate for the science classroom. 

An important aspect of my work in this area has not just been improving teachers’ content knowledge, in order for them to improve the teaching of science and mathematics, but also their pedagogical content knowledge.  That is knowledge and practice of effective research-based teaching strategies for use in science and mathematics.  These elements are embedded within all of the teacher development workshops that I have directed over the years.  As a practical example of my skill in this area, during the summer of 2007, I led a group of university faculty in the development and delivery of a middle school girls’ mathematics and science camp.  The 24 participants in the camp were girl’s who showed a talent for science and math.  Specifically I provided the faculty with a template for instruction based on effective models of inquiry learning.  By all measures the camp was a success and generated a greater career interest in mathematics and science for the camp participants. 

Selected Scholarly Submissions and Publications

1. Hohman, J., Adams, P.E., Heinrichs, J, Taggart, G., and Hickman, K. (accepted for publication).  A “Nature of Science” discussion as a means of connecting mathematics and science.  Journal of College Science Teaching.
2. Adams, P. E., Taggart, G.T., Hohman, J., Heinrichs, J., & Hickman, K. (Accepted for publication). Fermi questions: A method for engaging students in estimation. Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School.
3. Hrepic, Z., Adams, P., Zeller, J., Talbott, N., Taggart, G., and Young, L. (2005).  Developing an inquiry-based physical science course for preservice elementary teachers.  Proceedings of the Physics Education Research Group, Summer 2005.
4. Young, L., Adams, P.E., Taggart, G.T., and Talbott, N.C. (accepted for publication, 2005). Using testable questions to teach motion and forces. Science Scope.
5. Legleiter, E. and Adams P. (2004).  Survey of Kansas high school physics teachers.  Kansas Science Teacher, 15 (Spring), 5-11.

Selected Grants Received:

1. Principal Investigator, Teaching Water Quality.  Kansas Compact Waterlink Grant, $4945.
2. Principal Investigator, Mission Space Connection.  NASA SCORE Program, $5000.
3. Principal Investigator, in collaboration with Malonne Davies at Emporia State University, Physical Science and Mathematical Modeling Workshop, Kansas Board of Regents, Improving Teacher Quality Grant, 230,170 (year 1); total of $706,667 over all three years of the project.
4. Co-Principal Investigator, Food Science CSI, Kansas Parent Information Resource Center. $3,000.
5. Principal Investigator, Adapting Operation Primary Physical Science for Use in a Physical Science Class. National Science Foundation. $89,000.
6. Principal Investigator, Project IRIS: Inquiry, Research, and Integrated Science for the Middle School, with Karen Hickman.  Funded by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Program, administered by the Kansas Board of Regents, 2000 – 2002. Amount Funded: $118,794
7. Principal Investigator, ABC’s of Science Inquiry.  Funded by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Program, administered by the Kansas Board of Regents, 2001 – 2002. Amount Funded: $41,062
8. Principal Investigator, Integrating Exemplary Physical Science Teacher Enhancement Materials with Mathematics for Preservice Teachers, with Ervin Eltze, Karen Hickman, John Heinrichs, James Hohman, and Germaine Taggart.  Funded by the National Science Foundation. 2001 – 2004.  Amount funded: $200,000.
9. Principal Investigator, Improving Mathematics and Science Instruction through Development of Integrated Content Knowledge, with Ervin Eltze. Funded by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Program, administered by the Kansas Board of Regents, 1999 - 2000. Amount Funded: $68,504.

Date of Appointment to the Faculty at Fort Hays State University:

Professional Roles:

1. Board of Directors, Kansas Association of Teachers of Science, 2004 – present.
2. Advisor, FHSU Student National Science Teachers Association, 2003 – present.
3. Educational Consultant, CALIPSO Satellite Mission, Hampton University, Norfolk, VA, 2000 – present
4. Committee Member Qualified Admissions Natural Science Review, Kansas Board of Regents, 2000 to 2002.
5. Manuscript Reviewer, Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 1999 – present.
6. Panel Member, Educational Testing Services Standard Setting Panel for Kansas Department of Education, July, 2002.
7. Panel Member, NASA Office of Space Science Education Products Review, August, 2002, 2001.
8. .Committee Member, Association for Education of Teachers in Science, Ad-Hoc Committee on Science/Education Collaboration (1999 – 2000)
9. Kansas Academy of Science Council-at-Large, 1999 – 2002.
10. President, Arkansas-Oklahoma-Kansas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, 2000 – 2001.
11. Committee Member, Kansas University-High School Partnership, 2000 – 2003.
12. Science Content Presenter, Fostering Inquiry-Based Natural Discovery Science, 2001-2002.
13. Text Reviewer, Conceptual Physical Science, June 2001.
14. Text Reviewer, Science Instruction in the Middle and Secondary Schools, March 2000.
15. Web Module Reviewer, Syracuse University Physics Department, December, 2001.
16. Professional Organization Liaison, Association for Education of Teachers in Science (1999 – 2000)
17. Executive Committee, Kansas Mathematics and Science Education Coalition, (1996 – 2002)
    

Contact Information:
Paul Adams, Ph.D.
Grant Administrator: Ann Ryan Noble

Fort Hays State University
Science and Mathematics Education Center
241B Custer Hall
600 Park Street
Hays, Kansas 67601
padams@fhsu.edu
785-628-4538