Sadler receives Early Career award for science education research

Troy Sadler, assistant professor in the School of Teaching and Learning, will receive one of science education’s premier honors in April when the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) presents him with its Early Career Research Award at the group’s annual conference in Garden Grove, Calif.

The NARST Early Career Research award honors a scholar for outstanding research contributions in the field of science education within five years of receiving the doctoral degree. The award is presented annually, and Sadler joins a select group of internationally recognized researchers to have received the honor.

One of Sadler’s primary research specialties is exploring how students react to contentious scientific issues such as stem-cell research and global warming, and how such complex issues can be meaningfully studied and discussed in the science classroom.

His dedication to providing the same meaningful laboratory experiences that he had in school is one of the traits that has caught the attention of his colleagues. Whether he’s garnering grant money from small groups such as the Smallwood Foundation to get underprivileged students into the lab, or leading collaborative efforts that brought the university $1.5 million from the National Science Foundation to advance science education, Sadler stays involved, standing by the “hands-on” lessons he learned as a student. 

COE Associate Dean Tom Dana is already advising Sadler to clear space on his wall for the “next” award. “Troy is one of the brightest, most creative and articulate science education scholars on the planet,” Referring to NARST’s other marquis award, Dana wrote in congratulating Sadler. “I am certain that one day he’ll be adding the Distinguished Contributions award to his office wall, as well.”