Professor William Slattery earned his Bachelor of Science in Geoscience/ Geology from Jersey City State College in1986, his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from St. Peters College, Jersey City, New Jersey in1988 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Earth and Environmental Science Department of The City University of New York in May 1993. His dissertation focused on the stratigraphic architecture and sequence stratigraphy of the upper Devonian rocks of Pennsylvania and New York. While pursuing his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees he taught K-12 science at DePaul High School in Wayne, New Jersey. In 1994 he was hired as a joint appointment in the departments of the (then) Geological Sciences and Teacher Education at Wright State University. Since his appointment at Wright State University he has pursued a dual research track in science education and geological research. His geologic research interests include the interpretation of the sequence stratigraphy of the Appalachian foreland basin and Atlantic Coastal Plain and stable isotope geochronology. His science education research focuses on developing Earth system science curriculum for K-12 teachers and students with an emphasis on building logical thinking skills and scientific literacy.
Professor Suzanne Lunsford is professor at Wright State University and is an electrochemist and an internationally established chemical educator. She has been working with colleagues from international universities on how to integrate interdisciplinary science labs to meet the needs of the 21st century. Her research work for over two decades has been developing novel sensor electrodes (modified electrochemically) to detect common neurotransmitters to detecting common heavy metals Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and toxic metal Indium at low concentrations utilizing electrochemistry techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave anodic stripping voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. The electrochemical techniques and modified electrodes are examined further by such techniques as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy to confirm the electrode surface interactions and stability analysis of the sensor(s) developed to assist our students with a variety of analytical instrumentation techniques. She has received over 1 million dollars in external funding for her international and local educational inquiry-based science research programs at Wright State University.
Professional development programs for in-service teachers is a three-phase long-term event designed to increase the integrated science content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge of teams of K-12 teachers in high need Local Education Agency (LEA). The main schools selected are high need areas with an overall average from school districts serving a population of 63% students who are economically disadvantaged. The teachers participating serve as catalysts and mentors to other teachers, and will drive curriculum change in the district with the production of E-portfolios. The multidisciplinary approach of this program is composed of three phases; Phase I -field experiences/lab experiences, Phase II -on-line internet experiences where the E-portfolios are developed and implemented and Phase III -web conferences to continue the development of the E-portfolios and assess students learning gains in content. Teachers participating in these programs will be agents of change, leading their districts' efforts to produce scientifically literate students now and a citizenry well versed in the skills that will be needed to ensure Ohio' s economic future.
