Diane Jass Ketelhut

My research interests center on improving student learning and engagement with science through increasing access, particularly in urban contexts, to scientific inquiry experiences and through raising self-efficacy in science. I look specifically at the use of virtual environments to deliver scientific inquiry curricula and science assessments to students in the classroom and at professional development to help teachers integrate scientific inquiry into their curricula. Most recently, I am exploring the integration of computational thinking into elementary science education through preservice and inservice teacher education.

I hold certification in secondary school science, and was a science curriculum specialist and teacher (science and math) for grades 5-12 for 12 years. Prior to that, I conducted immunology basic research for 2 years. I received a B.S. in Bio-Medical Sciences from Brown University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia and my doctorate in Learning and Teaching from Harvard University. I was an Assistant Professor of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology in Education at Temple University for 5 years prior to coming to the University of Maryland in 2011.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• scientific inquiry; science learning and assessment; computational thinking; equity; virtual environments; professional development

Education

• EdD Harvard University Graduate School of Education (2000 — 2006)
• M.Ed. University of Virginia (1985 — 1988)
• Sc.B. Brown University (1971 — 1975)

HONORS & AWARDS

• 11th Annual University-Wide Celebration of Scholarship and Research, honoree, 2018
• Best App-based Game (Weather Trouble Module/SAVE Science), ECGBL game design competition, 2015
• Graduate Student Teacher Award, Temple University College of Education, 2011
• Best Paper Award, AERA ARVEL SIG, 2011