Paul Beardsley
Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (CEMaST)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Paul Beardsley recently joined the faculty at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona where he is involved with pre-service and inservice science teacher education and biological research. His research interests in science education include student learning in evolution, inquiry-based approaches to teaching, and scientist-teacher partnerships. His botany research focuses on plant molecular systematics and the genetics of plant speciation. Previously, he was a science educator at the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) where he was the Principal Investigator for the NIH-sponsored Evolution and Medicine high school project. He worked on infusing evolution and the nature of science in high school and middle school comprehensive curricula, including BSCS Science: An Inquiry Approach, BSCS Biology: A Human Approach, and BSCS Middle School Science. He helped design the on-line and face-to-face professional development programs with a range of teachers. In prior faculty positions, Dr. Beardsley helped direct a doctoral level program in biological education and participated in an NSF GK-12 program matching graduate students in science with K-12 teachers. Dr. Beardsley earned the Ph.D. degree at the University of Washington in plant evolution. He also earned a secondary science teaching license and taught at both the middle and high school levels.
Current Projects
Finalizing the development and analysis of a concept inventory for “tree-thinking” using qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Developing and studying the impact of curricular materials that make evolution relevant to students, use strategies based on how people learn, and promote inquiry-based instruction on both teacher practice and student learning at the high school level.
Constructing and examining the impact of undergraduate introductory biology courses that integrate evolution as a major theme throughout the course.
Related Publications
Beardsley, P.M., M.A.M. Stuhlsatz, R. Kruse, I.A. Eckstrand, S.D. Gordon, W.F. Odenwald. In press. Evolution and Medicine: An inquiry-based high school curriculum supplement. Evolution: Education and Outreach.
Beardsley, P. M. 2004. Middle school student learning in evolution: are current standards achievable? American Biology Teacher 66: 601-608.
Beardsley, P. M., A. Yen, and R. G. Olmstead. 2003. AFLP phylogeny of Mimulus section Erythranthe and the evolution of hummingbird pollination. Evolution 57: 1397 – 1410.