Stephen Burgin

I grew up in a Christian household in the Pacific Northwest where I was fascinated by nature and all things science. In high school, my parents joined staff with CRU and we moved to Miami Florida. Upon high school graduation, I attended the University of Florida where I majored in chemistry and minored in secondary science education. After receiving my M.Ed in Science Education, I became a high school chemistry teacher in Gainesville, FL. While teaching I was included in a number of science education research projects by science education faculty at the University of Florida and was eventually convinced to leave the classroom and pursue my PhD full time. I would be lying if I said that the promise of continued access to student football tickets was not a factor in my decision making process. Upon completion of my doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in science education, I eventually made my way to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. Where I am currently an assistant professor of secondary science education. I work with preservice secondary science teachers as I teach them how to teach others about science. My research focuses on this as well. My life has been marked by substantial changes and challenging times. The move across the country when I was in high school was one of them. More recently, my first born daughter's disability (she has a chromosomal translocation that has resulted in her blindness and autism), has really caused me to reexamine my faith. As a result, it has been made abundantly clear that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way, that he loves me and has a purpose for my life. It is comforting to know that his ordained purposes stand firm and I can cast my anxious thoughts on him.

My Life

Favorite Quote

It is better to think of church in the ale-house than to think of the ale-house in church. -- Martin Luther

Friends describe me

as adventurous.

My hobbies

Nintendo, hiking, camping, snowboarding, piano.

Fantasy dinner guests

Francis Collins, Charles Darwin, and Richard Dawkins (for the fireworks).

Best advice I ever received

Keep your head down until you get tenure.

My undergrad alma mater

University of Florida- Go Gators!

My worst subject in school

Computer programming

In college I drove

a Dodge Neon belonging to my future wife.

If I weren't a professor, I would

be working for the National Park Service.

Favorite books

Lord of the Rings, scientist biographies, nonfiction survival stories, history nonfiction.

Favorite movies

Star Wars

Favorite city

Portland, Oregon

Favorite coffee

Dark roast. No room for cream or sugar.

Nobody knows I

Everybody knows everything about me. I am too transparent. That is probably something I need to work on.

My latest accomplishment

I was able to publish my dissertation research in the prestigious Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

Current Research

I study the authentic practices of professional scientists and how K-12 and undergraduate science education could be modified to more closely resemble the scientific research that takes place in laboratories and the field.