Stephanie Hathcock

Dr. Stephanie Hathcock is an Associate Professor of Science Education at Oklahoma State University. Her work focuses on the study of change in science education and its ripple effect from teachers to students. Her research agenda is influenced by place as a key starting point for change and creativity as a necessary component and byproduct of change. Dr. Hathcock began her teaching career in 2001 as a 6th grade science teacher in Arkansas. Her public school teaching career included working with each grade level from Kindergarten - 8th grade in both suburban and urban communities. Dr. Hathcock now works with elementary preservice teachers and science education graduate students.

Research Interests:

Dr. Hathcock's research interests include:
1. Creativity in Science Education: Creativity is essential to everyday tasks, including problem solving, critical thinking, science, and engineering design, and yet, it is not often supported in the classroom and is not seen as attainable to the general population. My work focuses on accessible entry points to creativity for both teachers and students.
2. Place-Based Science Education: Science involves natural phenonema that occurs in the natural world. My work with place-based science education focuses on efforts toward teachers and students using their schoolyard for standard-based learning opportunities.
3. Conceptions of Change: An overarching feature of my research involves the use of professional identity to gauge the impetus, motivations, and possibilities for change that take place over both micro- and macro-timeframes.