Dr. Debbie French
Debbie French
Associate Professor, Science Education & Bitove Family Faculty Fellow
Associate Director, Graduate Education Program
Dr. Debbie French is Associate Professor of Science Education, Bitove Family Faculty Fellow, and Associate Director of the Graduate Education Program in the Department of 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 in-service 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.
- Associate Professor, Science Education
- Bitove Family Faculty Fellow
- Associate Director, Graduate Education Program
- Coordinator, Science Education
- 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.
- 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.
- 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., 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.