Stars and STEM Stories
Irish Voice names GLOBE Partner Tony Murphy to "2010 Education 100"
The Irish Voice newspaper named U.S. GLOBE Partner and Master Trainer Tony Murphy, executive director of the National Center for STEM Elementary Education at St. Catherine University, to "2010 Education 100" for his contributions to STEM education programs. "This is such a wonderful honor and humbling to be included in this group of educators from around the U.S.," Murphy said. "My appearance in this list could not have occurred without the people that I have worked with over the years and their willingness to collaborate with me on numerous projects."
Murphy earned science education bachelor and master degrees from the University of Limerick and his doctorate in education studies and science education with a focus on environmental education from Ohio State University. Selected by NOAA for the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, Murphy first served the GLOBE Program at the White House. Murphy notes that "Being involved at the ground level and working with scientists to create materials that would be used by teachers and students nationwide and globally was an incredible opportunity." Following that fellowship, Murphy served as a GLOBE education and training coordinator and received a promotion to deputy assistant director. According to Murphy, "This was one of the most innovative programs at the time and having students, teachers and scientists working together on this type of science and education project was incredibly powerful."
Murphy initiated a GLOBE partnership with St. Catherine University in 2005. As the Associate Dean of Education at St. Catherine University, Murphy's 2004 proposal for an interdisciplinary STEM curriculum earned support from the 3M Foundation; he brought together faculty and schools to develop a multifaceted academic initiative and a model of team-teaching, later recognized for its innovation. The initiative incorporated STEM certificates for traditional and Montessori elementary in-service teachers, a STEM minor, and a certificate for undergraduate students. Affirming that elementary teachers must be competent, confident and comfortable STEM educators, St. Kate requires elementary education majors to complete the STEM certificate for licensure. Launched summer 2010, the National Center for STEM Elementary Education improves elementary teacher effectiveness, advances student performance, and strengthens society's literacy in STEM.
According to Murphy, GLOBE fits with St. Kate's organizational goals by serving pre-service education students, education alumni, and science majors. St. Kate's GLOBE partnership goals include: 1) integrating GLOBE as a foundational part of a STEM minor for education students; 2) integrating GLOBE into various science courses for specific majors and science courses for non-majors; and 3) offering GLOBE training to St. Kate education alumni. "Teachers, students and scientists collaborating to understand various aspects of the environment can have an important impact on all those involved. It also opened a window for me to see how new technology could have a profound impact on learning."
Congratulations to Dr. Tony Murphy on his success. GLOBE looks forward to future collaboration with him and St. Catherine University.
- Read more about STEM initiatives at St. Catherine's University.
- View this video from St. Catherine's EcoSTARS, a comprehensive professional development program that empowers teachers and future teachers to develop STEM expertise using a Professional Development School (PDS) model.
6 December 2010