An ISU assistant professor is being recognized for pioneering new methods in the field of science teacher education.

Michael Clough, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, was honored with the 2003 Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year Award by the Association for the Education of Teachers of Science (AETS).

“This is the highest award you can receive for teacher education,” said Joanne Olson, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, who has worked with Clough on joint research projects.

“He has worked tirelessly to change undergraduate science teacher education,” she said.

Clough’s contributions to Iowa State include two courses he designed specifically for science education.

A secondary science methods course teaches students to create a research-based framework for his or her teaching methods. Clough’s research in this area has proven teachers are more effective with a well-developed framework to aide their teaching, he said.

“This course is to help develop and promote the noble goals of science,” Clough said.

A second course developed by Clough — the nature of science — defines the basic elements of science. He said the course shows its students how science works and how teachers can express it to students accurately.

In addition, Clough has restructured Iowa State’s science teaching program, changing the class from a four-week course to a full semester course. He said longer courses are more effective in molding future science teachers.

“Right now, there is a teacher shortage in Iowa,” Clough said, “High efficiency means that teachers will stay in the field longer.”

Randy McGinnis, awards chairman for AETS, said the Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year Award was “highly competitive.”

McGinnis said Clough will receive a plaque, a $1,000 check from Carolina Biological Supply and a feature story in the AETS magazine, Journal of Science Teacher Education.

Clough’s recent research delves into the effects of research-based framework in the real world. He plans to present his publication on the subject at the AETS International Conference. He is also preparing research on the current methods of scientific teaching in public schools.

Clough said he hopes the award will help people recognize not only his personal contributions to science education but the contributions of his colleagues in the department.

He will receive the award at the AETS International Conference in St. Louis on Feb. 1.

“I didn’t expect this,” Clough said of his award, “but I was definitely delighted.”