MSITE Faculty Spotlight

Tammy Lee, an accomplished East Carolina University double-alumni, is giving back to the university by passing on her love of Science Education and inspiring more and more young people to go into the teaching of science. As Tammy explains, ” I have successfully led the development and implementation of 4 new courses for Elementary Majors concentrating in science.  In 2010 there were only 7 students concentrating in science. Now as of spring of 2014, we have 90 students enrolled in the elementary science concentration. There are several research studies in which we are investigating the impact of this concentration.  For example, we are investigating the development and retention of science teachers identified with the program.  Also, we have been collecting data on the development of science content and development of teacher’s beliefs of science while participating in the elementary science concentration.  This program is vital in strengthening elementary science education, which will impact students entering STEM careers.”  Click for information about MSITE’s  Science concentration.

We continued our interview of Tammy Lee with the following questions:
What would you like to accomplish through your teaching?  To create a love of science with students, teachers, and pre-service teachers. 
What do you hope to achieve through your research?  I hope to restructure elementary science education programs to make elementary science engaging and exciting for students in elementary school. 
What universities have you attended, what did you study, and what degrees did you earn?
In 1994, I received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from East Carolina University.  I was awarded the National Board Certification for Early Childhood Education in 1999, and in 2003 I received my Master’s of Education in Science Education from East Carolina University.  Currently, I am a PhD Candidate in Science Education at NC State University, graduating in Spring of 2015.  
What informal learning experiences and/or work experiences have contributed to your education?
During my second year of teaching I was involved in a professional development project with the Museum of Natural Sciences entitled UTOTES (Utilizing the Outdoors to Teach Experimental Science). This year-long experience is what inspired me to pursue science education as a career.  For two years, I worked as a liaison with the museum to sponsor a program called, “Girls In Science” for middle school students at G. R. Whitfield.  I have also been an Educator of Excellence with the museum three different years, in which I traveled to Belize with educators and Belizean teachers learning about the ecology of the country.  Also, I had the opportunity to travel to Alberta, Canada to participate in a dinosaur excavation with Dr. Dale Russell.  For the last nine years, I have been the Director of the East Carolina University Summer Science Camp.  During this time, over 1500 students from grades 2^nd-8^th have attended our camp to experience the world of science.  This camp is also used as a teaching training environment for pre-service teachers at East Carolina University. 
What drew you to the field of Science Education?  What areas of Science Ed are of particular interest?
My experiences with the Museum of Natural Sciences inspired an interest and a strong motivation to work in science education, especially with elementary students, teachers and pre-service teachers.  The younger grades are the foundation for a successful school career for any subject area.  For this to happen in the area of science, I believe in creating memorable science events and/or experiences. Most students remember significant events that happen to them especially at a young age.  Who doesn’t remember touching a frog for the first time?  Or walking along a trail in the woods for the first time.  Growing a plant from a seed and observing the magic of nature is awesome. Learning about the outdoors and nature has always been one of my passions. It is an honor to have a job in which I can instill this love and appreciation of the outdoors to others.
What are some of your other accomplishments?
In 2011, Dr. Mark W.  Sprague, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, and I were awarded a Mathematics, Science, Partnership Grant entitled, Physics IS Essential, in which I am the Co PI.  We are currently working on the last year of our grant in which we create and implement 84 hours of professional development on physics concepts to middle and elementary teachers in three surrounding counties.  The teachers end the professional development by developing science units focusing on the physics concepts learned throughout the year.  They then implement the units within a summer enrichment environment with students from their counties.  This mini-lesson study provides teachers with the confidence to implement the units in their regular classroom during the academic year.
My other research interests involve how elementary teachers and pre-service teachers’ knowledge of systems thinking impacts their selection and use of pictorial representations when teaching about a complex system.   The results from this research will impact the restructuring of educational courses for elementary science as well as professional development on systems thinking for elementary teachers.