Jenny Dauer

Jenny Dauer

My research interests are in the area of Science Literacy and disciplinary-based science education research (DBER). I'm interested in how students learn about science. In other words, what is difficult about these topics and how do we teach them better? I use educational research methods like interviews, written assessments and surveys to characterize student learning and then use these results to inform better teaching strategies. Right now I’m particularly interested in how undergraduate students view the role of science in socio-scientific issues related to food, energy, water and landscapes. How does their science knowledge play a role in creating a sound scientific argument? What is challenging for students as they attempt to link evidence to a claim? How do students use science in their everyday life? Before coming to University of Nebraska I was a post-doc in the Environmental Literacy research group at Michigan State University. My graduate work included a Ph.D. in Forest Science at Oregon State University and a M.S. in Ecology at Penn State University. Both degrees focused on the role of calcium in biogeochemical cycling. I have had an interest in science education for a long time. Before my graduate work I received a B.S. in Secondary Education with emphasis in Biology and Environmental Sciences at Penn State University and worked in informal K-12 education.

Position: Assistant Professor of Practice in School of Natural Resources
Education: B.S. in Secondary Ed and Biology, Penn State
Education: M.S. in Ecology, Penn State
Education: Ph.D., Oregon State