Faculty & Staff - Daniel Capps
Daniel K. Capps
http://www.fossilfinders.org/dancapps/index.html
daniel.capps@maine.edu
160 Shibles Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
(207) 581-2422 ph
(207) 581-2423 fax
Title
Assistant Professor of Science Education
Specialty Areas
Teaching:
As a former middle school science teacher and a graduate of a school of education, I am passionate about teaching and teacher education. I have over fifteen years of teaching experience ranging from kindergarten to adult education in a variety of settings including, public and private schools and in nontraditional education settings. Currently, I teach classes through the RiSE Center, but in the near future I will be teaching courses in the College of Education and Human Development.
Research:
My research focuses on supporting teachers (and ultimately their students) in understanding more about what science is and the many ways it is practiced. Much of my research has centered on teacher learning and teacher change connected with professional development. Specifically, I have worked on supporting teachers in learning science content knowledge (e.g. geologic concepts, evolution, and nature of science) through inquiry and in enacting inquiry-based instruction in their classrooms. I am also interested in developing a chain of evidence to connect teacher learning with student learning after professional development.
Education
Cornell University (2011, Ph.D., Learning, Teaching, & Social Policy )
Indiana University (2007, M.S., education)
Indiana University (2002, M.S., geology)
Hope College (1998, B.S., geology)
Representative publications
- Capps, D.K., Crawford, B.A., & Constas, M.A. (in press). A review of the empirical literature on professional development: Alignment with best practices and a critique of the findings. Journal of Science Teacher Education.
- Capps, D.K. (in press). A simple lesson illustrating inquiry-based teaching. Science Scope.
- Capps, D.K., Capps, K.A., & Crawford, B.A. (2008). A student centered project focused on obtaining clean drinking water for the community. Science Scope, 32(4), 57-59.
- Capps, D.K.,Thompson, T.A. & Booth, R.K. (2007). A post-Calumet shoreline along southern Lake Michigan. Journal of Paleolimnology, 37(3), 395-409.
