Padilla Begins Term as 2005-06 President of National Science Teachers Association

Michael J. Padilla, a College of Education professor and a national leader in science and mathematics education, has begun a one-year term as president of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

He was elected by the NSTA membership, which consists of more than 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

Padilla is well-known for his leadership in science education. He was a member of the Working Group on Science Teaching Standards, which helped develop the National Science Education Standards, and has written extensively about science education, producing and contributing to many books, book chapters, and journal articles. He has served on numerous NSTA committees, including budget and finance, investment, and publications. In 1990, he chaired the planning committee for the NSTA National Convention in Atlanta .

Padilla began his 30-year career in science education as a middle and high school science teacher, then accepted a teaching position with the University of Victoria in British Columbia . In 1978, he joined UGA, where his career has flourished for 27 years. He rose through the ranks from assistant to full professor and served as science education department chair, associate dean, director of the School of Teacher Education , and most recently as director of educator partnerships.

While at UGA, he has attracted more than $30 million in competitive grants to support important science education programs, including a recent grant from the National Science Foundation for the Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics. This initiative is forming learning communities among Georgia-based universities and public schools to reform introductory science and math courses at the university level and to enhance K-12 science education.

Padilla is also well known throughout the international science education community. He has taught classes, presented at conferences and workshops, and conducted research at locations around the world. His efforts on a cooperative research project with Japanese scholars resulted in an in-depth analysis of the Japanese teacher induction and education programs.

Working to enhance international collaboration in and understanding of science education, Padilla is focusing his presidential efforts on the theme “Developing a World View for Science Education.”

“I believe the 21st-century global society presents challenges that can only be resolved through international collaboration and understanding,” he explains. “NSTA must work cooperatively with other nations, while at the same time pursuing an active program to help American teachers more effectively teach students from other cultures who are being educated in this country.”

Padilla has received numerous awards. Most recently, he was presented with the NSTA Distinguished Service Award, which honors NSTA members who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of education in the sciences and science teaching. UGA's College of Education named him an Aderhold Distinguished Professor, which recognizes excellence in the integration of research, teaching, and service, and UGA honored him with the Walter B. Hill Service Award in recognition of his distinguished achievement in public service at the university.

Padilla earned a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Detroit , an M.Ed. in science education from Wayne State University and a Ph.D. in science education from Michigan State University.

Thursday, September 8, 2005

Contact: Michael Padilla, 706/542-1686, mpadilla@uga.edu