Jennifer Stark

Dr. Jennifer Stark, an Associate Professor in Science Education, brings a rich science background to her position in the School of Education.

Stark obtained a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and a M.Ed. in Science Education before she earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on Science Education, all at the University of Florida.

Stark, who joined UWF in 2014, teaches education courses for pre-service and in-service teachers, and conducts research on various aspects of teaching science and the development of science teachers’ knowledge and practices.

Publications featuring her work include Science and Children, Science Scope, Professional Development in Education, and others.

She also has made research presentations at state, national, and international science education conferences on science-specific pedagogies, methods for transforming middle school science, and science teacher learning. In addition, Mesa, a former elementary and middle school science teacher, presents at educator workshops on effective methods and strategies for teaching science to children and encouraging children to learn, talk and write about science.