Welcome To Dr. Galen Carlson's Web page
Galen
Carlson
Phone : (657) 278-3942
Office: MH-264E
email: gcarlson@fullerton.edu
Research Interests:
Project FIST (Field Investigations for Science Teachers)---an
annual 10 day
field experience in the Mammoth Lakes, Mono Lake and Yosemite National
Park areas. Local science teachers (grades 4-8) conduct numerous investigations
relating to the Earth/Space Sciences.
*Project ALERT (Augmented Learning Environments as a Resource for Teaching)---Improvement
in our department’s curricula for prospective teachers (Geology 102
and 420).
*Project Outdoor Education---a new proposal (under development) to the NSF to enhance the earth science capability of local teachers to work with students of grades 5-6 as they prepare to attend their week-long field experience in the local mountains of the L.A. Basin. (in cooperation with the Orange County Dept. of Education)
*Exploration of misconceptions in the Earth/Space Sciences.
*Coordinator of the MAT-S (Master of Arts in Teaching-Science).
Education:
B.A. Chemistry, Buena Vista College
M.A. Physical Science, Drake University
Ph.D. Science Ed. with geoscience emphasis, Univ. of Iowa
Years at CSUF: 28
Area of Expertise/Specialties:
Education in the physical sciences/earth sciences for non-science majors; learning theory as it relates to science instruction; research into misconceptions in science; specialized courses in Earth Sciences for prospective and practicing science teachers; coordinator of the MAT-S (Master of Arts in Teaching -Science). Director of the Science Education Program.Research activities:
see specialties above. I am also commonly involved in grants to enhance the scientific knowledge and capabilities of teachers of grades K-12. During the summer of 1999 I led 11 middle school teachers on a 10 day field trip to Mammoth Lakes, California. Two other professors and 2 junior high teacher leaders were also involved. We conducted investigations in the Earth/Space and the Biological Sciences. The project was called FIST (Field Investigations for Science Teachers). I plan to continue this project during the summer of 2001.
I have also been working with the Orange County Dept. of Education. Ed
Rodevich and I have submitted a proposal to work with 90 middle school
teachers in Orange County over a three year period. The proposal was submitted
to NASA.
Personal Information:
I enjoy exploration of remote outdoor regions (anything that gets me out
of the L.A. Basin), tennis, golf and fishing.
Courses Taught:
Physical Geology
Earth Sciences (lower and advanced levels)
Physical Science for Prospective Elementary Teachers
Graduate Courses in Science Education
Masters Theses and Projects in Science Education.
If I can answer any questions, or you have comments, contact me at:gcarlson@fullerton.edu