Charles W. “Andy” Anderson, professor of science education at Michigan State University, has been selected to receive the 2012 NARST Distinguished Contributions to Science Education through Research Award. The award is considered the NARST’s most prestigious for scholars in the field of science education.
The NARST, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, is a worldwide organization for improving science teaching and learning through research.
The award is presented annually “…to recognize an individual who, through research over an extended period of time, has made outstanding and continuing contributions, provided notable leadership, and made a substantial impact in the area of science education.”
Aside from science education, Anderson, who has been teaching at MSU since 1979, also holds expertise in the areas of assessment, measurement, and evaluation; secondary education; and teacher education, learning, and policy. He is currently focusing his research on learning progressions leading to the development of science literacy, and has significantly contributed to the areas of conceptual change, socio-cultural classroom studies, standards and assessment, learning progressions, and environmental literacy since beginning his research.
Among Anderson’s accomplishments, he has held many national leadership positions on committees and in organizations, and has been published in everything from journals to books.
Perhaps one of Anderson’s largest goals is to use his research findings and work with federal grants to create a curriculum for our nation’s students that will cement an interconnected view of the sciences together in their minds, driving them towards becoming environmentally-conscious, science-literate individuals.
Anderson’s award, along with six others, are scheduled to be presented at the annual conference given for the organization’s approximately 1,500 members in March 2012. This year’s conference will be held in Indianapolis, Ind.