About
Kathleen R. Austin is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Chemistry Department at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, with 8 years of part-time teaching experience and 13 years of prior teaching at the K-12 level. She specializes in Science Education and Chemistry, offering courses such as SCS110 (Introduction to Natural Sciences Lab), SCS404 (Science Teaching Methods for Secondary Education), EDU349 (Science Teaching Methods for Elementary Education), and foundational Chemistry courses. Dr. Austin co-led the NSF Noyce Grant project titled "Geneva Preparing STEM Teachers" (funded $1,054,616 over 5 years) to enhance STEM education in Western Pennsylvania.
- Degrees: B.S. in Chemistry (Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 1992), M.Ed. in Education (University of Cincinnati, 1997).
- Professional Affiliations: Member of the Protein Society and the Society of Analytical Chemistry of Pittsburgh since 2008.
Her research interests focus on pedagogical strategies in chemistry education and preparing STEM educators through curriculum development and hands-on training. While no individual publications are listed, her work aligns with trends in science pedagogy and teacher preparation programs.
Awards & Distinctions
- National Board Certification for Adolescent and Young Adulthood Science/Chemistry (1998)
- Co-Principal Investigator for the NSF Noyce Grant "Geneva Preparing STEM Teachers" ($1,054,616 funding over 5 years)
Dr. Austin has mentored students across high school, middle school, and collegiate levels, with a focus on practical science instruction. Her work integrates faith-based and secular educational frameworks through Geneva College’s Center for Faith & Life.
