معرفی
Ted Neal serves as a Clinical Professor of Science Education within the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Iowa's College of Education. His work bridges elementary and secondary science education with a focus on climate literacy, geoscience field experiences, and NGSS-aligned curriculum development for Iowa schools.
His educational background includes:
- PhD in Teaching and Learning (Science Education), University of Iowa
- MS in Science Education, Drake University
- Certificate in 7-12 Science and Social Studies Endorsement, University of Iowa
- BA in Environmental Science, Economics and Business, Cornell College
Neal's research centers on developing climate science literacy through field-based geoscience education and standards-aligned curricula. He investigates how students build epistemic understanding through authentic data analysis and place-based learning, particularly in elementary and middle school contexts. His work emphasizes teacher professional development for implementing NGSS and addressing environmental justice in science classrooms.
Recent publications (2010-2021) reveal consistent focus on climate education, geoscience field methods, and K-12 curriculum design. His scholarship demonstrates growing emphasis on equity in environmental education and leveraging local Iowa contexts for science instruction, with increasing collaboration across geoscience and education disciplines.
No specific scientific awards are documented in the provided materials.
Neal actively secures major research funding, serving as Principal Investigator for the Iowa K-12 Climate Science Education Initiative (CGRER) and Co-Principal Investigator on NSF grants including GP-IMPACT for geoscience education and the Noyce Scholarship program for STEM teacher development. His grants consistently target improving science teaching through authentic field experiences and standards implementation.
He collaborates with the Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research (CGRER) and American Geophysical Union (AGU), leading interdisciplinary teams on projects like the Iowa K-12 Climate Science Education Initiative and Critical Zone Observatory for Intensively Managed Landscapes (IML-CZO).
