For the second time in three years, an ISU professor has received an award for work in improving the curriculum for science teacher education.

Joanne Olson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, was given the Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year award by the Association for Science Teacher Education for improving the curriculum of the courses at Iowa State.

“This is the premier organization for those involved in science teacher education,” Olson said. “It’s the top award I could win in the field right now; for me it’s a real honor.”

Olson said although she appreciates the recognition, she is more concerned with her work on how to effectively prepare future teachers.

“Awards are just awards; the value in all of this is the impact that I have on people,” Olson said. “My professional passion is to understand what’s required for effective teacher preparation.”

She said she was nominated by her students and a colleague for her effectiveness in teacher education, program development and leadership in her field.

Thomas Andre, professor and chairman of curriculum and instruction, said the master’s program now allows people with a background in science to obtain a teaching certification in 15 months, compared to the normal time frame of two to two and a half years.

“She has been very active in improving the courses that future science teachers take,” said Cathy Curtis, alumni officer for the College of Education.

She said Olson has restructured the program for future elementary school science teachers. Olson has focused on instructing science teachers how to approach classroom decision making from a scientific angle, Curtis said.

“Dr. Olson works very hard with elementary teachers to help them make research-based decisions,” said Michael Clough, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction.

He said teaching should be founded on more research-based methods than on opinion or textbooks. Although educators have relied on opinion in the past, like other professions they should use methods based on research, Clough said.

“You wouldn’t expect a doctor to say, ‘You know penicillin is called for here, but that’s not my style’,” he said.

Clough was named the 2003 Outstanding Science Teacher Educator. He said he knew of no other institution in the country that has received this award twice.

“I think Iowa State is very fortunate to have two faculty members at the same institution who have been recognized with this kind of award,” he said.