Graduate Studies Program in Mathematics and Science Education

Dr. Bradford F. Lewis Assistant Professor of Science Education 443.885.3084 Fax: 443.885.8238 blewis@moac.morgan.edu Position: Faculty Title: Assistant Professor
Education | Grants and Awards | Publications | Service

Summary

I am currently an Assistant Professor of Science Education in the Doctoral Studies in Mathematics and Science Education program at Morgan State University. My research agenda, which addresses the underrepresentation of African Americans in science and science-related careers, consists of three lines of scholarship. The first is an exploration of students' science knowledge as a factor that influences career decisions. The second is an exploration of racial bias as a factor influencing students' career attainment. The third and most central line of scholarship is educational praxis. Herein I work to use science education as a tool for improving the African American community. As part of this line of scholarship I have established the Junior Science Institute (JSI) as a summer science experience for rising fifth-grade students in the Pittsburgh Public School District.

My teaching foci are in the areas of science teacher education and graduate science education. I teach methods and other professional development courses to elementary, middle-school and secondary teachers; as well as courses for graduate students on Curriculum Analysis and Development; History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science; and Issues in the Teaching and Learning of Science. My graduate studies in science have focused on biochemistry and the history and philosophy of science (especially science and religion).

Finally, I collaborate extensively with community organizations and school districts to provide services for teachers and K-12 students, which include: tutoring, teacher enhancement workshops, grant writing and curriculum development.

Education

Professional Organizations

• 1999-present Member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
• 1997-present Member of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS)
• 1997-present Member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• 1995-present Member of National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
• 1991-present Member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society

Professional Experience

• 2001-Present:
  Assistant Professor, Morgan State University - Department of Teacher Education and Administration
• 1998-2001:
  Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh - Department of Instruction and Learning
• 1996-1998:
  Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh - Department of Instruction and Learning

Grants and Awards

• Recipient of the Outstanding Junior Scholar Award from the Brothers of the Academy Institute. Received October 4, 2003.

• Grant awarded from the Network Resource Training Sites towards a project titled: Combining math/science content and pedagogy: A course development workshop for the graduate preparation of high school teachers. (Co-PI; $25,000; March 2003).

• Grant awarded from the National Science Foundation and South Africa's National Research Foundation towards a study titled: A Comparative Analysis of Ninth Graders' Everyday Thoughts about Nature. (PI; $5,000; February 2003).

• Grant awarded from the Morgan State University-NASA Mini Grant Program towards study titled: An examination of racial bias as a factor influencing science teachers' career guidance of secondary students (PI; $26,252; March 2002).

• Grant awarded from the Grable Foundation towards Junior Science Institute (Co-PI; $14,156.47; June 1999).

• Grant awarded from the Fisher Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation towards Junior Science Institute (Co-PI; $60,000; July 1999 - August 2001).

• Grant awarded from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education Research Fund towards study titled: Science in the minds of high-achieving, middle school students (PI; $1,499; December 1998).

• Selected to participate in the Fourth Annual University of Pittsburgh Faculty Seminar for More Inclusive Courses. ($1,500; Spring, 1998).

• Recipient of University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Fellowship, 1996-1998.

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles
Hermann, R. & Lewis, B. F. (2003). Moon misconceptions: Bringing pedagogical research of lunar phases into the classroom. The Science Teacher, 70(8), 51-55.*

Lewis, B. F., Pitts, V. R., & Collins, A. C. (2002). A descriptive study of pre-service teachers perceptions of African-American students' ability to achieve in mathematics and science. Negro Educational Review, 53, 31-42.*

Lewis, B. F., & Aikenhead, G. S. (2001). Shifting perspectives from universalism to cross-culturalism. Science Education, 85, 3-5.*

Lewis, B. F., & Collins, A. (2001). An interpretive investigation of the science career decisions of three African American college students. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38, 599-621.*

Book Chapters
Lewis, B. F., & Wagner, N. (2001). Who's teaching whom? In D. Tippins, T. Koballa, and B. Payne (Eds.). Learning from cases: Unraveling the complexities of elementary science teaching (pp. 34-37). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon Publishing.

Popular Publications
Lewis, B. F. (2002). Equity in the academy: A critique of the academic community and a challenge to HBCU's. Research News and Reviews, 4(2), 6, 8, 16.

Lewis, B. F., & Marshall, R. (1994, June). School is not over for these Leon school science teachers. The Tallahassee Democrat.

Service

Association Membership
1999-present Member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
1997-present Member of the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS)
1997-present Member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA)
1995-present Member of National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
1991-present Member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society

Association Service
1999-2002 Member of Journal of Research in Science Teaching Award Committee

Editorial/ Journal Service
1999-present Reviewer for Journal of Research in Science Teaching
1998    Reviewer for Science Education
1997 Reviewer American Educational Research Journal

Grant Review Service
2003 Invited Panel Reviewer for National Science Foundation Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education, Teacher Professional Continuum program.
2000 Invited Panel Reviewer for National Science Foundation Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education, Teacher Enhancement program.

K-12 School Service
2003 Chaperone for Thomas G. Hayes Elementary School; Baltimore, MD
2000 Invited reader at Crescent Elementary School; Pittsburgh, PA
1999 Invited speaker at Crescent Elementary School career day; Pittsburgh, PA
1998 Invited speaker for Cedar Hill Christian School (grades k-6); Cleveland, OH
1997 Guest instructor at Ethnan Christian School (grades 3-7); Pittsburgh, PA
1995 Science Fair Judge for Ruediger Elementary School; Tallahassee, FL
1995 Science Fair Judge for W. T. Moore Elementary School; Tallahassee, FL
1994 Served on School Advisory Council for Rickards High School; Tallahassee, FL
1994 Science Fair Judge for Ruediger Elementary School; Tallahassee, FL
1994 Science Fair Judge for Springwood Elementary School; Tallahassee, FL
1993 Coordinator of Science Fair Judges, Florida State University - Department of Science Education

Community Service
1995 Coach of Top of Florida - Youth Soccer Team
1991-1992 Member of the Gannon University Debate Team
1989-1992 Radio DJ for WERG Super Soul Saturday
1991 Treasurer, Minority Student Union - Gannon University
1991 Founder of Luther Manis Scholarship, Minority Student Union - Gannon University
1989-1991 Student Host for Campus Open House
1989-1991 Student Affiliate with the American Chemical Society
1989-1990 Vice President, Minority Student Union - Gannon University
1988-1989 Sergeant-at-Arms, Minority Student Union - Gannon University
1989 Member of the Chemistry Club - Gannon University