Julia G MaKinster

Julia G MaKinster is a Professor of Educational Studies and the Vice Provost for Assessment, Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she has been a faculty member since 2002. Her work bridges scholarship, teaching, and leadership in science and environmental education.

• Ph.D. from Indiana University
• M.S. from Louisiana
• B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Her research focuses on integrating geospatial technologies into science education through teacher professional development and curriculum design. She emphasizes reflective, collaborative, and personally relevant learning experiences that empower students as lifelong learners. Her scholarship is driven by questions about how to effectively implement technology-enhanced teaching in science, particularly in addressing biodiversity and environmental issues.

Her recent publications reveal a strong trend in using geospatial tools (GIS, web-based maps, multimedia) to support scientific inquiry, environmental awareness, and teacher development. These works span science education, environmental studies, and technology integration, often involving collaborative, interdisciplinary projects with institutions like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

She has led two major National Science Foundation-funded projects:

• Crossing Boundaries Project ($1.5M): Focused on biodiversity conservation using ICT.
• GIS Ahead Project ($899,500): Aimed at creating career pathways through geospatial technology education.

She mentors teachers and students through sustained professional development and innovative curriculum design. Her teaching includes courses such as Teaching Secondary Science, Technology in Education, and Citizen Science.

She is affiliated with the following initiatives:

• Director and Principal Investigator, Crossing Boundaries Project
• Director and Principal Investigator, GIT Ahead Project
• Faculty member in Science and Environmental Education
• Coordinator of ESSYI (Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute)