College of Education and Health Professions

Michael J. Wavering, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Secondary Education
Curriculum and Instruction

306 Peabody Hall
Phone: 479-575-4283
FAX: 479-575-6676
wavering@uark.edu

Degrees:

Ph.D.,  University of Iowa, Science Education, 1979
M.A.T., Indiana University, Science Education, 1971
B.S.,    Quincy University, Chemistry, 1969

Teaching Areas:

Science Education
Secondary M.A.T.
Curriculum and Instruction Ph.D. Program

Research Interests:

Development of Logical Reasoning in Learning Science
Development of Science Interns Philosophies of Science
Evolution and the Nature of Science
The M.A.T. Program

Professional Biography:

Prior to employment at the University of Arkansas (1985-current), Dr. Wavering was an associate professor at Eastern Kentucky University (1979-1985) in the Model Laboratory School. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association of Science Teacher Educators, National Science Teachers Association, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Jean Piaget Society, School Science and Mathematics Association, Association of Teacher Educators, and Phi Delta Kappa. He is currently a member of the Research Advisory Board for the Appalachian Mathematics and Science Partnership. 

Dr. Wavering is a co-principal investigator of a National Science Foundation grant to prepare teachers in mathematics or science through the Robert Noyce Scholarship Program.

Dr. Wavering has been the recipient of the College of Education and Health Professions awards for all-around performance (2008), teaching (1997) and research (1991). He received recognition from the Arkansas Student Government and Student Alumni Board for excellence in teaching (2001 and 2003). Also, he was a member of the team of faculty in Curriculum and Instruction who prepared the application, prepared the display, and presented the paper that enabled the Master of Arts in Teaching program to be recognized at the Association of Teacher Educators Distinguished Program in Teacher Education in 2001.

Personal Information:

Dr. Wavering is an avid gardener and fly fisher. His garlic is outstanding in the field, his basil has contributed to many pesto dishes, and his tomatoes are quite tasty. His wife’s pasta and soups are excellent. Dr. Wavering’s fly fishing is improving. He has discovered it is best not to eat a trout dish the day before one goes fishing. Eat well, catch and release fish, and live long.

Publications/Presentations:

with Duggan-Haas, D. (2002). Legislative challenges to the teaching of evolution: The science educator’s response. Reports of the National Center for Science Education, 22(6), 30-34.

with McGee, Imbeau, Sullivan, Morrow, Lefever-Davis, & Ryel (2001). The University of Arkansas Master of Arts in Teaching Program. Action in Teacher Education, XXXIII, 5-15.

Presentations

(2004, January 8-11). Hierarchical complexity of MAT interns conceptions of science. Association for the Education of Teachers in Science International Convention, Nashville, TN.

(2003, March 26-30). The theory of evolution as an example of good science. National Science Teachers Association National Convention, Nashville, TN.