Our mission is to improve college science teaching
We do this by facilitating interactions and relationships between interested parties, including faculty, both teaching and education research (including Early College High School, Dual Credit, and Advanced Placement); graduate students; other professional societies, especially NSTA; science writers and publishers; companies involved in science education; and laboratory coordinators and developers. We share our ideas at an SCST National Conference that coincides with the NSTA National Conference, promote the Journal of College Science Teaching, publish a blog and other writings, provide mini-grants for projects related to college science teaching, and present an annual Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award.
About SCST
Founded in 1979, The Society for College Science Teachers (SCST) is the only interdisciplinary affiliate of the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) that is dedicated solely to the study and advancement of college science teaching.
We are a community of college and university teaching scholars and interested parties working to enhance science education through development and testing of best classroom teaching practices in both the classroom and the laboratory.
Interdisciplinary
Our members come from all science disciplines and work to improve college science teaching via interdisciplinary interactions.
Identity Building
We provide a profession-wide identity for teachers of college science and work to promote our collective self-interests.
Forward Thinking
Our local and regional conferences and workshops provide insight into the most current educational research and best teaching practices.
Societally oriented
We work to promote a societal and cultural awareness of the significance of science to the modern world.
Meet Our Leadership
Past President
Thayne Sweeten, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the biology department at Utah State University. His research focuses on the relationship between autism, immune genetics, and vitamin D.
President
Renee Clary, PhD, is a professor of geology in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, and Director of the university’s Dunn-Seiler Museum. She researches the integration of geological and biological knowledge during science instruction in traditional, online, and informal learning environments.
President-Elect
Ian Moncrief, PhD, is a Plant Pathologist and Assistant Professor of Science in the Undergraduate College at National Louis University in Chicago, IL. He has a particular interest in bringing science to the masses.
Treasurer-Secretary
Stephanie Gutzler, PhD, is the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Biology at Georgia State University. She works to increase student retention in STEM disciplines as well as develop curricula centered around authentic research experiences to facilitate development of job-related skills.
National Membership Chair
Emily Mills-Ko, PhD, is a Professor of Biotechnology & Neurology at California Northstate University College of Health Sciences, teaching biotechnology.
Councilor-at-large, OUSTA Chair
Christa Haney, PhD, is a Clinical Professor of Meteorology, Climatology, and Director of Distance Learning at Mississippi State University.
Councilor-at-large
Emily Faulconer, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Math, Science, & Technology of Emory-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Campus where she teaches General Chemistry I, Environmental Science I & II, and Introduction to Research Methods. She won the 2023 SCST OUSTA.
Councilor-at-large, Editor
Athena Owen Nagel, PhD, is an Associate Teaching Professor of GIS and Geology at Mississippi State University.
Historian
Tarren Shaw, PhD is a senior lecturer at the University of Oklahoma.
Blogmaster
Tim Slater, PhD, is a Professor of Science Education at the University of Wyoming and a Senior Scientist at the international CAPER Center for Astronomy & Physics Education Research. He is well-known for his innovative workshops and publications for college professors.
Webmaster
Heather Scherr, MS, is a biology professor, general biology Lead Faculty, and science Dual Credit Liaison at Lone Star College-Kingwood. She’s interested in the development and integration of technology into online and in-person classes.
