Teacher Education Faculty and Student Research Goes National at the Science Teaching Association Conference
Dr. Julia Poplin and Dr. Richard Lahti of Teacher Education, and co-author undergraduate student, Tony Urbanski (studying science education in biological science), had their research accepted for the National Science Teaching Association’s annual conference, held in Minneapolis this November.
Their work introduces the “APEx” Framework tool they developed for the purpose of understanding and addressing the “Prepared/Permitted Gap,” or the disconnect between how science teachers are prepared to teach and what they are actually allowed to teach in today’s polarized educational climate.
Drawing on critical sociocultural theory and employing systematic qualitative analysis of survey data from educators across multiple states, they addressed a crucial gap in existing literature: science teachers are prepared to teach authentically but face systemic barriers, including political pressure and community pushback, that restrict their pedagogical autonomy.
Their presentation was selected through NSTA’s competitive peer-review process and provides practical strategies for teacher preparation programs, as well as field-based mentorship, navigating these challenges. The work reflects Minnesota State Moorhead’s commitment to developing realistic solutions for the complex realities of contemporary classrooms.