VITA - Karen L.

Meyers

Home Address: 8124 Greenridge Business Address: Regional Math & Science Center
Jenison MI 49428 Grand Valley State University
616.667.2278 324 Henry Hall
Allendale MI 49401
E-mail: meyersk@gvsu.edu 616.331.2515

Educational Background
1999 Master of Arts in Michigan State University
Curriculum & Teaching Focus on Curriculum and Professional Development in Science and
Mathematics.
1973-75 Graduate Coursework Michigan State University
Graduate studies in Education and General Science.
1971 Bachelor of Science Michigan State University
Mathematics / Lyman Briggs College / Honors College with minors
in Physical Science & Education. Graduated with High Honors.

Professional Experience
1993 - present Regional Math & Science Center @ Grand Valley State University,
Allendale, Michigan
Director for the Regional Math/Science Center at GVSU providing outreach services to K-12
education (teachers and students) in a three county region. Co-designer of Building Science
Leaders program for elementary and middle grades science teachers. Responsible for many
of the mathematics and science professional development services of the Center including
the Inquiry Science Content Series, workshops on a variety of topics, and collaboration and
development of on-site inservice for area school districts. Actively involved in collaborative
grant projects with GVSU School of Education and Michigan Mathematics Leadership
Academy (MMLA). Served as coordinator and administrator of the West Michigan Science
Festival, a weeklong festival providing interactive events for over 5,000 students at 75 area
businesses and organizations. Provided curriculum support for EcoBus project (collaborative
with three West Michigan school districts).

1980 – 1994 Northview Adult & Community Education & Alternative High School,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lead teacher in the Adult Education Program teaching classes in Mathematics, Health, and
the Sciences. Actively involved in curriculum and program development as a member of the
School Improvement Team. Served on the NASA Space Education Council at GVSU.
Nominated for Adult Education teacher of the Year by district in 1986, 1992, & 1993.

1971-1978 Jenison Junior High School, Jenison, Michigan

Teacher for 7th-8th grade Science. Served as Department Chairperson. Supervised curriculum
development.

Undergraduate/ Graduate Teaching Experiences

Grand Valley State University:
• SCI 495: Teaching Science in the 21st Century. Capstone course for Integrated Science majors; co-taught
with Dr. Jann Joseph; Fall 2006
• SCI 580: Environmental Education & GLOBE Training for Middle and High School Teachers; co-taught
with Dr. Janet Vail; Summer Semesters 2002, 2004, & 2006.
• SCI 580: Variety of courses for the Regional Math & Science Center including “Understanding Inquiry”,
and “Building Science Leadership”.
Michigan State University:
• TE 803: Reflection and Inquiry in Teaching Practice II, Curriculum and Teaching in Mathematics and
Science; Winter 2002
• TE 891: Inquiry-Based Learning in Science. Michigan State University/ Department of Teacher
Education; Fall 2001

Certifications
• Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS): Certified trainer for environmental
curriculum developed through a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 2005.
• Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE): Certified trainer for NASA
environmental education program. Grand Valley State University through the Annis Water Resources
Institute is a GLOBE partner site.
• State of Michigan Continuing Certificate: 7-8 All Subjects, 9-12 Mathematics/Physical Science
• State of Michigan Health Instructor Certificate

Professional Presentations
“Building Science Leaders Program” – Poster presentation sharing results from science teacher leader programs
at European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) Conference in Malmö, Sweden; August 2007.

“Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics” – In-depth book study for selected chapters of Dr. Liping Ma’s
thought provoking book on the nature and development of the “profound understanding of fundamental
mathematics”; Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Annual Conference, 2007.

“Probing the Real World” – Interactive presentation use TI and Venier technology in a laboratory setting; MSTA
Annual Conference, March 15-17, 2007.

“Developing Building Science Leaders” – Interactive presentation sharing results from three teacher leader
programs developed by the Regional Math & Science Center @ GVSU.
Presentations sites included:
• National Science Teachers Association, Annual Conference, 2005;
• Michigan Science Teachers Association, Annual Conference, 2006

“Short Course in Inquiry-Based Science” – Interactive workshop focusing on the nature of inquiry-based science
instruction in the K-12 classroom.
Presentation sites included:
• Michigan Science Teachers Association, Annual Conference, 2004.

“The Way the Ball Bounces” – Interactive presentation focusing on the use of inquiry-based learning and the
learning cycle.
Presentation sites included:
• National Science Teachers Association, National Conference, 1997
• “Fire-up Conference” for pre-service teachers, Aquinas College

“Electric Connections” – Workshop focused on how to construct an elementary science unit with activities and
teaching strategies aligned with the Michigan Curriculum Frameworks for elementary teachers in the content area
of electricity.
Presentation sites included:
• Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
• “Fire-up Conference” for pre-service teachers, Aquinas College
• Hamilton Public Schools
• Saugatuck Douglas Public Schools
“West Michigan Science Festival” – Presentation focused on how to create an effective school-to-career program.
Presentation sites included:
• A New Twist, National Business Alliance, Washington DC
• Michigan Science Teachers Association, State Conference

“Math & Science Activities Using CBL’s” – Interactive presentation allowing participants to explore the use of
CBL’s using problems that integrate mathematics and science.
Presentation sites included:
• Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Regional Conference
• Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA), State Conference 1998
• National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Regional Conference, 1999
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Annual Conference, 2000

“Translucent, Transparent, Opaque” - Inquiry based workshop investigating the properties of light for middle
school teachers.
Presentation sites included:
• Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) Annual Conference, 2004
• Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, Science Content Fair
• Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) Annual Conference, 2000
• Michigan Association of Middle School Educators (MAMSE), Annual Conference, 2000

“Assessment in Math & Science” – Presentation including discussion of the role of assessment in science and
mathematics including the use of embedded assessment.
Presentation sites included:
• Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
• Interinstitutional Teacher Education Council, Collaborating Teachers Breakfast & Seminar
• Regional Math & Science Center @ GVSU

Publications
Science Scope, March 1997; Volume 20 (6) The West Michigan Science Festival, co-authored with Mary Ann
Sheline.

Grants
Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant, Michigan Mathematics and Science Teacher Leader Collaborative :
Grand Valley State University in partnership with Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan,
and University of Michigan – Dearborn ; awarded 2006 – 2009. Co-PI with Mary Ann Sheline, Director,
Regional Math & Science Center.

Michigan Space Grant Consortium (NASA) for

 International Polar Year @ Grand Valley State University ; awarded for 2007
 Super Science Saturday : Celebrating Phenomenal Physics ; awarded for 2005
 Space Station 3-D Plus; awarded for 2002
 West Michigan Science Festival; granted yearly for 1997 – 2001

Inside Einstein’s Universe Grant, NASA-Smithsonian Universe Forum for World Year of Physics 2005 activities;
awarded for 2005.

Michigan Department of Education, Title II, Part A(3), Improving Teacher Quality Competitive Grant,
 Professional Development in Mathematics – Building Mathematics Leaders; awarded August, 2004. Co-
authored with Mary Ann Sheline, Director, RMSC.
  Professional Development to Sustain and Deepen Prior Learning - Building Science Leaders: Grade Level
Facilitators; awarded August, 2003.

Eisenhower Higher Education Professional Development Grant Program

 Building Science Leaders: Middle Grades; awarded Fall, 2001. Co-PI with Mary Ann Sheline, Director,
RMSC.
 Building Science Leaders (Elementary Grades); awarded Fall, 2000. Co-PI with Mary Ann Sheline,
Director, RMSC.

Professional Affiliations
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
European Science Education Research Association (ESERA)
Guild of Carillonneurs of North America (GCNA)
Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA)
Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)

Professional / University Service

 Served as Mathematics & Science Center Network Liaison to Michigan Council of Teachers of
Mathematics (MCTM) 2005-2007
 Served on the AP Professional Development Committee, 2005-2007
 Participation in the GVSU Carillon Collaborative which provides carillon concerts for various University
events.