Patricia Paulson

Academics Faculty

Patricia Paulson

Email: patricia-paulson@bethel.edu

Job Titles

  • Professor of Science Education Emerita
    Education, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Professor of Biological Sciences Emerita
    Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences

Highlight

Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for teaching and learning, focusing specifically on integrating scientific practices. She has led the GEMS program, coordinated the STEM program, and taught Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods at all levels. With the completion of her phased in retirement in June 2020, Paulson serves as an adjunct instructor in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program, teaching the Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education course and advising dissertation students.

Started at Bethel

1999

Education

  • Muskingum College - B.S. in Psychology, 1972
  • St. Cloud State University - M.S. in Educational Administration, 1979
  • Capella University - Ph.D., 2005

Biography

Dr. Paulson has taught at all levels, from kindergarten to college, and served as the curriculum coordinator for science for Anoka-Hennepin ISD #11 prior to coming to Bethel. Her major areas of research are in authentic instruction in STEM, including the emphasis of scientific practices and performance assessments. She has also worked extensively to address gender issues and science teaching practices. She lives in Cambridge, MN with her husband, Craig, has three grown sons, and eight grandchildren.

Courses Taught

Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education

Awards

LEGO Corporation Higher Education 2013. Grant for $3000 for materials and feedback to LEGO for use in teacher preparation.

BSCS (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study) VISTA (Video Cases for Science Teaching Analysis) project (November, 2011)

National Women's Collaborative NSF Grant (2010): Girls In Science: Changing the World (2007-2009) Girls In Science: Changing the World (Honeywell Grant)

January 2-13, 2009 Selected by Boston University to study at Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador

Alumni Grant ($750) for development of Nature Trail (Co-authored with Dr. Kistler and Dr. Becknell)

Alumni Grant ($5000) for presentation of Math/ Science Festival at Bethel (Coauthored with Dr. Horn and Dr. Probert)

3M Grant ($50,000) for Super Saturday Science for Wet Cement Kids; (Coordinated seventeen Saturdays for Science in St. Paul Frogtown).

Publications

SciMathMN & Minnesota Department of Education: Minnesota Frameworks for Mathematics and Science (2012), Science for All. http://scimathmn.org/stemtc/

Paulson, P., Williams-Tuenge, L., Roth, S., Wippler, R., & Paulson, D. (2009). Inquiry is elementary: Differing approaches to inquiry within two elementary schools. In Inquiry: The Key to Exemplary Science, R. Yager, Ed. pp. 139-150. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

Paulson, P. (2010). Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning. In Bethel University Engaged Teaching and Learning Series, J. Rasmussen, Ed.

Paulson, P. (2010). Lenses on the rainforest. Field Notes VI:1. NY: Red Hook. Bard College Publication.

Professional Organizations, Committees, and Boards

NSTA, AAAS, ASTE, NARST, ASCD. Serves on NSTA National Committee for Elementary Science.

Hobbies and Interests

Biking, reading, camping

Areas of expertise

Paulson focuses her research on trustworthy practices for teaching and learning, focusing specifically on the integration of scientific practices. She has led the GEMS program, coordinated the STEM certification program, and taught Life Science Concepts, Applied STEM Practices, and Science Curriculum and Methods at all levels. With the completion of her phased in retirement in June 2020, Paulson serves as an adjunct instructor in the Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership program, teaching the Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education course and advising dissertation students.

Quote

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10 NIV