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Faculty

Mark Turski

Mark Turski, Ph.D.

Professsor of Natural Science Education
Department of Atmospheric Science & Chemistry

Office phone number: (603) 535-2749
e-mail: markt@plymouth.edu

Administrative contact: Christine Hoch
Administrative contact phone number: (603) 535-2325

Profile
Dr. Turski teaches general astronomy, history of science, secondary science methods and general education courses in earth and physical science at the undergraduate level, and Earth Systems Science for Teachers and Science Methods at the graduate level. As the 2001 Technology and Teaching Fellow, Dr. Turski was responsible for coordinating academics, administration and ITS in developing a model for technology moderated instruction and learning for the faculty and students.
Degrees and Education
  • Ph.D. Science Education, Astronomy Education focus, University of Texas, Austin, TX, 1994
  • M.Ed. Science Education, Environmental Education focus, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 1987
  • Secondary Education Teaching Certificate, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 1980
  • B.S. Plant and Soil Sciences, Soil Option, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 1976
Research Interests
  • Preservice Education Reform
  • Technology in Education
  • History and Philosophy of Science and Science Teaching
  • Qualitative Research in Science Teaching
  • Authentic Assessment
Selected Publications
  • NSTA Recommends (Spring, 2001) review of the curriculum program First Flight!
  • Science and Children (September, 1998) - Software review of States of Matter.
  • Equity is More than Coping with Change (1998) - New Hampshire Equity Handbook, design team member.
  • Science and Children (May, 1998) - Software review of Inventor Lab: Transportation.
  • A Consensus Model for Preservice Teacher Education in Mathematics and Science (1997) - The New Hampshire Preservice Education Review Project – Co-Investigator, Advisory Council and Writing team member.
  • Proceeding of the 3rd International History and Philosophy of Science and Science Teaching Conference (1995) - research paper First Year Elementary Education Majors' Views of the Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge.
Selected Presentations
  • National Science Teachers Association National Conference (Spring, 2004) - presented the paper Online Professional Development – Is it the right choice for you?
  • Taiwan National Normal University (Winter, 2003) - presented Science Education In the United States
  • University of New South Wales (Fall, 2003) – presented What the Research Says – Training Tomorrow’s Teachers In the United States.
  • National Science Teachers Association National Conference (Spring, 2003) - presented the paper Using On-line Materials in the Earth Science Classroom.
  • National Association for Geoscience Teaching (Spring, 2002) - presented Using Rubrics in the Introductory Earth Science Classroom
Associations, Boards and Committees
  • Current - National Science Teacher's Association, Member of National Committee on Teacher Preparation
  • Current - Executive Board Member of the New Hamsphire Science Teachers Association
  • Past President of the New England Section of National Association of Geoscience Teachers
  • National Association for Research in Science; Teaching International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Group
  • National Earth Science Teachers Association
  • National Association of Geoscience Teachers
  • Phi Delta Kappa
  • Project Wild Facilitator
  • Project Learning Tree Facilitator
  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory Associate
Academic Distinctions
  • Recipient of the Lincoln Page Scholarship from the New Hampshire Geological Society (1998).
  • Listed in Who's Who in Education, in the East, in the World, in Science and Mathematics
  • Listed in International Biographies
  • Selected as winner of Heldref Publications, Science Activities, 1988 Competition for Creative Ideas in Science Teaching. The article selected for the award was Field Testing Soil Compaction in the School Yard.
  • State of Maine Innovative Curriculum Grant (1985) South Portland Incentive
  • Educational Grant: Classroom Based Incentive Projects (1985)
Selected Professional Activities
  • Woodrow Wilson Content-Driven Reform in Education (CORE) Institute in Environmental Science - faculty member for four-week residential program held at Princeton University. Summer 1999.
  • Presented one week workshop for the Estonia Ministry of Education. The topics included were: Professional Development Models, Teacher Education and Inquiry Based Learning. The program was funded by the United States Information Agency. Spring 1999.
  • 2002 – 2005 - Director of Training Earth System Science Teachers (TESST) grant which is part of the NASA and Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers Through Technology project.
  • 2004, Summer - Earth Science by Design Institutes - Co - Investigator for TERC funded program
  • 2002, Fall - American Geological Institute - developed training protocols for the Investigating Earth Systems program.
  • 2001, Summer - American Geological Institute - Attended AGI Curriculum Leadership Institute, a one week residential program in Columbia, Maryland.
  • 2001, Summer- Hands On Universe - site coordinator for program presented in conjunction with Lawrence Hall of Science - University of California at Berkeley
  • 2001, Summer - Middle School Science Institute - site coordinator and presenter
  • 2001, Summer - Science For All - Planning committee for New England Impact Centers sponsored institute
  • January 1991 – May 1991 - University of Texas; Teaching Assistant - Astronomy Department; Responsible for grading, providing student review sessions and assisting individual students in introductory astronomy.
  • September 1988 – May 1989 - University of Texas; Assistant Instructor - Elementary Intern Supervisor; Responsible for observation, instruction and evaluation of preservice elementary education interns.
  • August 1988 – December 1988 - Austin Community College; Instructor. Responsible for planning, instruction and evaluation of one division of environmental biology.
  • September 1987 – May 1988 - University of Texas; Teaching Assistant - Student Teacher Supervisor; Secondary science. Responsible for the observation, instruction, evaluation and grading of secondary science (7-12) student teachers in all subject areas.
  • September 1983 – June 1986 - South Portland High School; Earth Science Teacher, 9th grades moved into senior high school. Awarded City of South Portland Incentive Grant 1985; State of Maine Grant 1985 for innovative curriculum development.
  • August 1980 – August 1983 - Mahoney Jr. High School, South Portland, Me.; Earth Science Teacher. Reestablished Earth Science program at the 9th grade level as a lab science course (ESCP). Also responsible for 2 divisions of Physical Science at the 8th grade level. JV baseball and football coach.
  • March 1980 – June 1980 - Brewer Jr. High School, Brewer, Me.; 7th and 8th grade Science Teacher. Responsible for planning and teaching 5 divisions of science. Instituted environmental program for 8th grade students.
  • June 1979 – September 1979 - Northeast Helicopter; Coordinator of Aerial Seeding program. Coordinated federally funded project for private contractor. Responsible for planning and implementing program with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS), State Extension Offices and the farmer in 5 counties.
  • September 1978 – January 1979 - Maine Public Television Network; production assistant. Assisted in production of television shows as camera operator and floor director.
  • June 1978 – September 1978 - Soil Conservation Service; conducted needs and feasibility studies and assisted in design and on site construction of conservation structures. Coordinated county aerial seeding program between SCS, ASCS and private contractor. Assisted on Penobscot County Study of Non-Point Agricultural Pollution (SNAP), USDA Wetlands Inventory, State of Maine Ground Water Inventory and Pollution Study.
  • October 1977 – June 1978 - Department of Recreation, City of Portland. Supervisor of evening teen and afternoon elementary programs in low income neighborhood center. Planned and evaluated programs in conjunction with Administrative Director. Staff of six.
  • September 1976 – October 1977 - Sweet Potato, Inc., Director of Distribution and Promotion. Coordinated distribution and promotional activities of monthly newspaper in 3 New England states. Staff of ten.



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This page was last revised: 6/25/2008