Patricia Friedrichsen

Patricia Friedrichsen is a Professor in the Department of Learning, Teaching & Curriculum at the University of Missouri. Her research specializes in secondary science teacher development across professional stages, with emphasis on socio-scientific issues (SSI) pedagogy, evolution education, and teacher knowledge frameworks. She investigates teacher recruitment, induction support, mentoring practices, and the implementation of core teaching practices using theoretical lenses like pedagogical content knowledge and communities of practice. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation.

Friedrichsen's research explores interdisciplinary approaches integrating computational thinking with science concepts, model-based reasoning, and systems thinking. She develops SSI-based curricula addressing contemporary issues like COVID-19, vaping, and antibiotic resistance to promote scientific literacy. Her recent work emphasizes equitable strategies for diverse learners, including students with disabilities.

Analysis of her publications reveals consistent focus on: 1) Teacher professional development through collaborative curriculum design, 2) Integration of computational thinking with biological concepts using unplugged activities, 3) Socioscientific issue-based frameworks for complex topics like pandemics and evolution, and 4) Multimodal modeling to enhance systems thinking.

Her NSF-funded projects support the creation of innovative instructional materials and teacher learning communities. While no specific awards are listed, her grant-supported research reflects significant scholarly recognition.