Molly Nation

Molly Nation is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Education in the Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Her academic journey includes a BS in Biology and Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia Southern University, followed by a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of South Florida. She transitioned from high school teaching to university faculty, focusing on climate change education and climate justice advocacy.

Her educational background spans biology, secondary education, and science education. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Environmental Science and Climate Change and Regional Environmental Studies, emphasizing hands-on research and sustainability practices.

Research interests center on climate education, teacher training, and sustainable pedagogy. Her work explores how educators’ beliefs shape climate science instruction and how innovative methods like serious gaming and field-based learning can enhance environmental literacy. Notable projects include action research in climate curriculum development and gender equity initiatives in STEM.

Nation has secured grants including the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship and Fulbright Specialist Program. She actively collaborates on NOAA B-WET and EPA grants addressing water resilience and environmental policy. Her professional affiliations include the North American Association of Environmental Educators and the American Educational Research Association.

Leveraging FGCU’s coastal location, she integrates place-based learning into her teaching, emphasizing local environmental challenges like red tides. Her efforts aim to bridge science education with community action for climate justice and ecological stewardship.