Assistant Professor
Office: Tribble B204
Email: frenchd@wfu.edu
Phone: 336-758-3764
Dr. Debbie French is an Assistant Professor of Science Education and Director of Secondary Education at Wake Forest University. She is a former high school physics, physical science, and engineering teacher. She teaches secondary and elementary science education methods, an instructional design, assessment, and pedagogy course, as well as action research courses. Dr. French’s research interests include, physics and astronomy education research, climate change education, preservice and inservice science teacher preparation and professional development, and exploring best practices for incorporating authentic scientific inquiry in secondary science classrooms. She is a former chair of the Physics Teacher Preparation Committee for the American Association of Physics Teachers. From 2010-2022, Dr. French served as the co-PI on a National Science Foundation Grant entitled, “The STEM Guitar Project.” This grant provided funding to teach K-16 teachers how to build electric and acoustic guitars and how to use the guitar as an engaging vehicle to teach science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Dr. French also serves on the Editorial Review Board for CITE-Science and ASTE Innovations.
Click on the following link to download a .pdf of Dr. French’s CV. DFrench CV Oct 2019
First Year Seminar (FYS) 100: CO2 and the Future of Earth
EDU 298: Elementary Science Methods
EDU 307/717: Instructional Design, Assessment, and Technology
EDU 354/654: Content Pedagogy (Science Education)
EDU 364L/664L: Student Teaching Internship
EDU 643: Teaching Elementary STEM
EDU 665: Professional Development Seminar
EDU 715: Action Research
EDU 716: Professional Growth Seminars
EDU 781: Methodology & Research I (Science)
EDU 783: Methodology & Research II (Science)
French, D. A., & Burrows, A. C. (2018). Evidence of science and engineering practices in preservice secondary science teachers’ instructional planning. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 27(6), 536-549.
Rebull, L. M., French, D. A.,Laurence, W., Roberts, T., Fitzgerald, M. T., Gorjian, V., & Squires, G. K. (2018). Major outcomes of an authentic astronomy research experience professional development program: An analysis of 8 years of data from a teacher research program. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 14(2), 020102.
Rebull, L. M., Roberts, T., Laurence, W., Fitzgerald, M. T., French, D. A.,Gorjian, V., & Squires, G. K. (2018). Motivations of educators for participating in an authentic astronomy research experience professional development program. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 14(1), 010148.
Hauze, S., French, D. A. (2017). Technology-supported science instruction through problem-based learning with integrated STEM guitar building: The case for STEM and non-STEM instructor success. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education (Science), 17(4).
French, D. A., Burrows, A. C. (2017). Inquiring astronomy: Incorporating student-centered pedagogical techniques in an introductory college science course. Journal of College Science Teaching, 46(4), 24-32.
French, D. A. Hauze, S., French, R. M., Hunt, D., Singer, T. (2019, July). Using Guitars as a Vehicle for Problem-Based Learning. American Association of Physics Teachers conference. Provo, UT.
Singer, T., French, D. A. (2019, July). STEM Learning Using Electric Guitars, CNC, and Now Acoustic Guitars. High Impact Technology Exchange Conference. St. Louis, MO.
French, D. A. French, R. M., Hauze, S., Hunt, D., Singer, T. (2019, January). Good Vibrations: Using the Acoustic Guitar to Teach Physics Concepts. American Association of Physics Teachers conference. Houston, TX.
French, D. A. (July, 2018). Exploring Mars with LEGO Mindstorm Robotics: A FYF College Course. Presentation at the American Association of Physics Teachers conference. Washington, D. C.
French, D. A. (2018, August). Using an Electric Guitar as a Vehicle to Teach Introductory Electronics Concepts. Presentation at the American Association of Physics Teachers conference. Washington, D. C.
Sitch, K., Stecco, D., Rempe, C., Cugini, N., French, D. A., Bednarz III, E. (2018, April). Launching into the future: Using a ping pong ball cannon to demonstrate physics and integrated STEM concepts. American Association of Physics Teachers, Central Pennsylvania Section.