Non-Thesis Project Papers
This collection contains graduate research papers by students in the Science Education Program.
The Graduate Research Paper is a non-thesis paper or project, which can be considered the capstone of the graduate program. For the paper, students synthesize information they have learned throughout the program and apply it to the field experience. To view the Award Winners, click here.
To search all Graduate Research Papers, click here.
To go to the Science Education Program page, click here.
Submissions from 2024
Measurement: The Forgotten Unit: Introduction to Quantitative Data Acquisition in Ninth Grade Physical Science, James F. Duff Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Evaluating the Impact of Model-Evidence-Link Charts in Seventh-Grade Student’s Ability to Engage in Scientific Argumentation over Plant Reproductive Structures, Josephine Libby Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Evaluating the Impact of an OpenSciEd Natural Selection Unit on Students’ Understanding of Disciplinary Core Ideas and Transfer of Scientific and Engineering Practices, Austin Read Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Evaluation of a Plate Tectonic NGSS-Designed Unit in Ninth-Grade Earth and Space Science Using an EQuIP Rubric, Amber Rose Heller Sherwood Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
The Impact on Growth of the Scientific and Engineering Practices Throughout the Semester in 9th Grade Earth Science, Mallory Wills-Howe Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2023
A Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Aligned 3rd Grade Weather Unit, Jennifer Hageman Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Development and Implementation of a NGSS Curriculum Unit for Astronomy in Ninth-Grade Earth and Space Science, Jessica Hughes Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2022
Identifying misconceptions about evolution relative to science curriculum exposure at the secondary level, Rachel Carney Open Access Graduate Research Paper
High school earth science students evaluating agricultural solutions, Jaclyn Citlali Sanchez Erickson Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Integrating the Next Generation Science Standards into a 9th grade physical science classroom using Newton's second law of motion, Chad Pietig Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Submissions from 2021
Analysis of assessments on secondary students' development and interpretation of models, Alaina L. Appley Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Impact of inquiry science courses on preservice elementary students' ideas on science, Lance Charles Baetsle Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Creation and implementation of an integrated climate change curriculum centered on earth and life science standards, Katherine Eastin Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Accuracy of self-assessment in a ninth grade earth science classroom, Alyssa Jacobson Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Effects of stepwise guided inquiry on students' attitudes and depth of knowledge from written lab reflections in high school chemistry, Melissa Rae Campbell Johnson Open Access Graduate Research Paper 2022 Award
Enhancing scientific literacy through attention to argumentation as a disciplinary literacy practice, Whitney McWilliams Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Human impact on the environment: A middle school project based learning unit development, Shannon Power Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Development of a NGSS curriculum unit for periodic trends and properties in ninth-grade physical science, Amy L. Price Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Analysis of student perceptions on climate change in a rural Iowa school district, Tyler Scholl Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Immediate vs. deferred feedback during formative assessments in a 9th grade physical science course, Jordan Sonntag Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Autoethnography on teaching during a pandemic, Kelsey Ufford Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2020
Using adapted primary science literature to enhance argumentation and reasoning skills in middle school students, Betsy Wiederin Lemus Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The impact of confidence-based marking on unit exam achievement in a high school physical science course, Casey Clark Open Access Graduate Research Paper
An analysis of learning targets on summative assessments in a high school chemistry course, Mark R. Hennessy Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Utilizing pre-laboratory strategies in a high school chemistry classroom to improve performance on guided inquiry labs, Jacquelyn Schmitt Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Making the water cycle accessible and relevant for English language learners, Summer Teed Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Identification of trends in scientific communication by minority students in an integrated and advanced ninth grade science curriculum, Loren Thalacker Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2019
Using NGSS phenomena as a formative assessment to measure understanding of science concepts in a ninth grade physical science classroom, Keith Richard Kohl Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Submissions from 2018
Development of curriculum for Next Generation Science Standards in high school chemistry, Jennifer L. Brown Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Teaching evolution and common ancestry with dissection, fossils and phylogeny, Nicolas A. Brown Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Genetics unit lesson plan for the Next Generation Science Standards, Erin Hogan Open Access Graduate Research Paper 2020 Award
Evaluation of a flipped classroom on student achievement in a low income school district, Michael Yeoman Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2017
Collaborative learning: Do two-stage quizzes positively affect students' perceptions of their understanding and achievement in high school physics?, Benjamin J. Arp Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Developing writing prompt assessments for the next generation science standards: Physical science, Kristen Ann Birchard Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Understanding by Design approach to a Next Generation Science Standard in high school chemistry: Chemical reactivity, Jill Christofferson Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
First year professional learning community implementation within the Marion High School Science Department, Madilyn M. Ramaekers Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Energy, matter, and change: A high school chemistry unit development, Allison Schipper Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Strategies for integrating literacy into a science classroom, Michelle Seddon Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Development of a standards-based classroom for high school physics at Solon Community School District, Tim Sheeley Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Developing model identification skills in an advanced placement Physics 1 classroom, Ian Spangenberg Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Using the Next Generation Science Standards EQuIP Rubric: Evaluating a course in biomedical science, Brandon Yoder Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Submissions from 2016
Developing authentic summative assessments that correlate to the Next Generation Science Standards for a middle school science classroom, Nick Bushkofsky Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Robotics in the classroom: The effectiveness of robotics based curriculum in STEM education, Mark Nall Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Impact of problem based learning on teaching light to middle school science students, Stephanie Yager Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
Submissions from 2015
Instruction and standards-referenced grading in a 9th grade conceptual physics classroom, John C. Chai Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Using a 5E learning cycle to adapt a college physics instructional unit for high school, Stacia Marie Kelly Graduate Research Paper (UNI Access Only)
The inclusion of engineering design into the high school biology curriculum, Cody D. LaKose Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Understanding by Design unit lesson plans for the next generation science standards: life science, Arie Schiller Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2014
The Development of Curriculum for Monticello High School’s General Biology Class, Nicole A. Chambers Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Increasing Student Involvement in Physics: An Activity Based Curriculum Unit for the Physics Classroom, Melinda Leah Hamann Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2013
High School Physics: Virtual Circuit Construction vs. Real Circuit Equipment, Charlie Leslie Gardner Jr. Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Alignment of a 9th Grade Earth Science Curriculum With the Iowa Core, Courtney Elizabeth Giesel Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Student Centered Instruction & Incorporation of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) into the Life Science Curriculum, Cathy Hones Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2012
Developing a Stem Education for Rural Elementary Students, Lisa J. Chizek Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Misconceptions in Science Education, Angela Francis Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Emphasizing Project Based Curriculum in Principles of Engineering - A Project Lead the Way Course, Pamela Rae Baier Hartman Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2010
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Portfolio Option, Paula L. Buchholz Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Project/Problem Based Learning Activities for High School Biology, Susan Considine Open Access Graduate Research Paper
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Michelle Oslin Griffen Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Useful Tips for the First Year Science Teacher, Kate Ellen Harken Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Differentiating Instruction in the High School Science Classroom: Instructional Accommodations for Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, English Language Learners, and Gifted Learners, Nicole M. Kesselring Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2009
Spreadsheet Based Immediate Feedback Formative Assessments for Naïve Conception Recognition and Corrective Accommodation in the Physical Sciences, Jonnie R. Becker Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Using Project-Based Learning to Build an Environmental Science II Course, Molly Crock Open Access Graduate Research Paper
National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBTS) Portfolio Option, Steven Aaron Hester Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Curriculum Development: New Geology Course for Grades 10-12, Kyle N. Hoffman Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Using Wisconsin Fast Plants to Incorporate Inquiry into the General Biology Curriculum at Linn-Mar High School, Steven R. Meeker Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2008
Standardized Testing and Alternative Assessment as a Means of Measuring the Science Student, Johnpaul L. Collins Open Access Graduate Research Paper
National Board of Professional Standards Portfolio Project, Daniel De Groot Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Submissions from 2007
NBPTS Portfolio Option: Young Adolescence Science, Mary Margaretta Beck Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
NBPTS Portfolio Option, Cindy L. Borske Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Incorporating Readings Outside of the Textbook Into a High School Science Curriculum, Melissa Hesner Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Student Achievement at the Middle Level: Is Block Scheduling a Viable Option in Science Education?, Julie A. Holub Open Access Graduate Research Paper
National Board of Teaching Standards Portfolio Option, Karen Koenig Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Submissions from 2006
Luminous Light, Angela Breitbach Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Using High-Order Questioning to Investigate Marine Animal Phyla, Tanya Conrad Open Access Graduate Research Paper
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification Portfolio, Margaret Hogan Graduate Research Paper (Electronic Copy Not Available)
Incorporating Reading Comprehension Tools into an Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum, Stephanie Monahan Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2005
Using Learning Cycles to Introduce the Nature of Science, Sally Coleman Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Social Issues in Biology: A Course Template, Marcey J. Hand Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2004
A Closer Look at Constructivism, the Learning Cycle, Scientific Process Skills and Their Interrelationships within a High School Chemistry and Physics Classroom, Jennifer M. Gates Open Access Graduate Research Paper
The Implementation of National Science Education Standards by Ninth Grade Science Teachers in Northeast Iowa, Richard Hofmeyer Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Sound Waves: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Brian Howes Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2003
The Effects of Hands-on Science on Student Achievement, Christopher Andrew Gersitz Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 2001
Effective Strategies for the Teaching of Science to Secondary Students With Behavior Disorders, Jennifer Crane Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 1999
The Relationship Between Learning Style and Academic Achievement in a Classroom Utilizing the Learning Cycle Teaching Strategy, Linda Kay Graber Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 1988
The Development of Learning Cycle Usage in Chemical Education: A Literature Search With and Analysis of Three Learning Cycles, Bernard Dean Hermanson Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Submissions from 1985
Case Study: Comparison and Information of Science Education at the Three State Universities in Iowa, Rita Hrecz Open Access Graduate Research Paper
