Jennifer Mesa

The impacts of professional learning communities on science teachers’ knowledge, practice and student learning: a review

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of empirical studies investigating the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) on science teachers’ practices and knowledge. Across 14 articles that satisfied the definition we embraced, most were devoted to the change in science teaching practices, disciplinary content knowledge (DCK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of K–12 science teachers. Although a small number of studies have implicit focus on comparing measures of student learning, we set out to examine the studies in science education and present how teachers engaged in PLCs focusing on examining and exploring strategies to promote student learning. Analysis of the related studies resulted in the following: PLCs can help teachers increase their PCK and DCK; increases in PCK and DCK may facilitate the change in teacher practices from traditional into more inquiry-based approaches; science teachers collaboratively focusing on student learning in PLCs are more likely to change their practice; and studies do not embrace student learning as an essential feature of PLCs. Methodological flaws and future directions along with implications for science teachers’ professional development are discussed.

Twentieth Century Scientists Who Exemplify the Interplay of Creativity and Giftedness

In the 20th century, innovative scientists made many contributions to our society and well-being, as well as expanded our basic understanding of natural phenomena. Children today study the structure and function of cells, DNA, and the atom using computer simulations and videos at home and at school. In this chapter, we focus on the life histories and accomplishments of three 20th century Nobel Prize-winning scientists to gain an understanding of the factors that may have influenced their interest in science and unlocked their creative potential. In particular, we examine the lives and creative achievements of Luis Walter Alvarez, Barbara McClintock, and Peter Mitchell.