Carla McAuliffe, Ph. D.

Technical Education Research Center, Inc. (TERC)
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140

Arizona satellite office
1714 North Circle Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 945-6563

Carla_McAuliffe@terc.edu

Professional Preparation

• Ph. D., Learning & Instructional Technology, Arizona State University, 2003
  Areas of concentration: theory and practice of science education, curriculum, and educational technology.
  Dissertation: Visualizing Topography: Effects of Presentation Strategy, Gender, and Spatial Ability
  
• M. Ed., Secondary Education, University of Arizona, 1987
  
• B.S., Cellular & Developmental Biology, University of Arizona, 1986

Appointments

• Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), TERC, Cambridge, MA, 2001-present
  Senior Curriculum Developer, Professional Development Specialist, Researcher, and Evaluator
  Lead, manage, and work on a number of science education projects including those funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Responsibilities include developing print and Web-based instructional materials, facilitating professional development experiences, creating evaluation instruments, conducting educational research, disseminating project findings and products at national meetings and conferences, and applying for and obtaining external funding to support these efforts. (See TERC Projects section below for project roles and descriptions.)
• Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, 2002-2005
  Adjunct Faculty for School of Education
  Online courses taught: Curriculum Designed for Understanding, Listening to Children's Ideas, Try Science, Investigating Equitable Classrooms
  
• Walden University, Minneapolis, MN, 2005
  Adjunct Faculty for School of Education
  Online course taught: Listening to Children's Ideas
  
• Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 2000-2001, 2006, 2010
  Adjunct Faculty for Statewide Academic Services
  Courses taught: Visual Tools for Teaching: Using Image Processing and GIS in the Classroom, Instructional Media and Materials, Eyes in the Sky: Applied Geospatial Information Technology
  
• Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 1999-2001
  Research Assistant
  Developed instructional modules, assisted with experiments, analyzed statistical data, and prepared reports and presentations for an NSF-funded geoscience education project, The Hidden Earth: Visualization of Geologic Features and Their Subsurface Geometry.
  
• Center for Image Processing in Education, Tucson, AZ, 1995-1998
  Outreach Coordinator and Instructional Materials Developer
  Developed instructional materials, taught workshops on image processing and geographic information systems, provided outreach and technical support, and wrote articles.
  
• Senior High School Teacher, 1988-1995
  Courses taught: Honor's Biology, Advanced Placement Biology, Biology, & Earth Science
  Positions held: Rancho High School, North Las Vegas, Nevada and Camelback High School, Metrotech Evening School, Maryvale High School, Phoenix, Arizona
  
• Junior High School Teacher, 1987-1988
  Courses taught: Life Science and Physical Science
  Position held: Dell H. Robison Jr. High, Las Vegas, Nevada
  

External Funding

McAuliffe, C. and Bardar, E. NASA K-12 Competitive Grant Award, Eyes In The Sky II: Facilitating Classroom Research Using NASA Resources and Geospatial Technology, Total Amount $1,146,630. Award period: 7/1/09-6/30/11.

Parker, C., McAuliffe, C., and Stylinski, C. NSF Award 0833524, Promoting STEM Career Interest in the Classroom: An Exploratory Study Linking Teacher Professional Development with Changes in Teaching Practices, Total Amount $1,129,730. Award period: 1/1/09-12/31/11.

McAuliffe, C. and Ledley, T. NSF Award 0532881, Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops to Facilitate the Use of Earth Science Data in Education, Total Amount $684,884. Award period: 9/1/05-8/31/11.

McAuliffe, C. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative K-12 Education Grant, Renewable Energy Data Investigations (REDI): Inquiry-based activities for middle and high school classrooms using online data, Total Amount. $39,453.08. Award period: 1/1/07-12/15/09.

Penuel W., McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C., and Benbow, A. U.S. Department of Education IES Award. Comparing the Efficacy of Three Approaches to Improving Teaching Quality in Science Education, Total Amount $1,864,415. Award period: 6/1/05-5/31/10.

Dahlman, L., McAuliffe C., and Lockwood, J. NSF Award 0322566, Eyes in the Sky: Applied Information Technology, Total Amount $1,088,212. Award period: 9/1/03-8/31/08.

Publications: Papers and Instructional Materials

Penuel, W. R., McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C., Benbow, A., Mably, C. and Hayden, M. M. (2009). Teaching for Understanding in Earth Science: Comparing Impacts on Planning and Instruction in Three Professional Development Designs for Middle School Science Teachers, Journal of Science Teacher Education, Online First; 12/02/08.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 338kB Jan7 09)

Penuel, W. R., McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C., Benbow, A., Mably, C. and Hayden, M. M. (2008). Preparing Teachers to Teach for Deep Understanding: A Curriculum-Based Approach, The Earth Scientist, XXVII (2), 21-24.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 214kB Sep17 08)

Parker, C., Stylinski, C., McAuliffe, C. and Darrah, M. (2008). Emerging Technology as a Vehicle for Teacher Change: Frameworks and Assessment Strategies, paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meetings, March 27, 2008, New York, New York.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 163kB Sep17 08)

Penuel, W. R., Benbow, A., Mably, C., McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C., and Hayden, M. M. (2007). Teaching for understanding in Earth science: Comparing three professional development designs for middle school science teachers. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 154kB May23 08)

Reynolds, S., Piburn, M., Leedy, D., McAuliffe, C. Birk, J. and Johnson, J. (2006). The Hidden Earth - Interactive, computer-based modules for geoscience learning, Earth and Mind: How Geologists Think and Learn about the Earth, 157-170. View Abstract Online



McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C. et. al. (2006). Earth Science by Design Handbook for Professional Developers. TERC and the American Geologic Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts: TERC.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 8.4MB May23 08)

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., Haddad, N. (2006). The Earth Exploration Toolbook: Facilitating Access to Scientific Data and Tools, Journal of Geoscience Education, 54(1), 223-229.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 163kB May23 08)

Piburn, M., Reynolds, S, McAuliffe, C. et. al. (2005). The Role of Visualization in Learning from Computer-Based Images, International Journal of Science Education, 27(5), 513-527.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 128kB Jul8 06)

Ledley, T.S. McAuliffe, C., and Dahlman, L. (2004). Earth Exploration Toolbook: Educational Uses of Earth System Science Datasets and Tools, Volume IV; What Works, What Matters, What Lasts, Project Kaleidoscope, http://www.pkal.org/documents/Vol4EarthExplorationToolbook.cfm



McAuliffe, C., Smith, D. and Kerski, J. (2004). Earth Exploration Toolbook Chapter: Investigating Earthquakes with ArcVoyager GIS



Hall-Wallace, M. K. and McAuliffe, C. (2002). Design, Implementation and Evaluation of GIS-Based Learning Materials in an Introductory Geoscience Course, Journal of Geoscience Education, 50(1), 5 -14.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 2.7MB May23 08)

Piburn, M., Reynolds, S, Leedy, D., McAuliffe, C. Birk, J. and Johnson, J. (2002). The Hidden Earth: Visualization of Geologic Features and their Subsurface Geometry, paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) annual meetings, April 7-10, 2002, New Orleans, Louisiana.

• Download PDF (Acrobat (PDF) 2.2MB Sep17 08)

Barstow, D., et. al. (2001). Exploring Earth Project: Earth Science Internet Investigations Guide, McDougall Littell Evanston, Illinois.



McAuliffe, C. et. al. (2001). Visualizing Topography, a computer-based module about topographic maps, The Hidden Earth, NSF-funded project at Arizona State University.



Dahlman, L., and McAuliffe C. (1998). Discovering Image Processing, CIPE, Tucson, Arizona.




McAuliffe C. and Klein, J.D. (1997). Visualization and 3-D animation: Effect of presentation strategy in a computer-based science program. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Albuquerque, NM.

TERC Projects

• 
  Eyes in the Sky II
  Principal Investigator, Professional Development Specialist, Internal Evaluator
  

  Eyes in the Sky II provides long-term professional development that engages secondary science teachers and students in authentic scientific research using geospatial data analysis. The program includes a twelve-week online course, a seven-day face-to-face workshop, classroom implementation, and a research showcase. This project is working with 100 science teachers from across the United States. I lead the Eyes in the Sky II project, develop and facilitate virtual and in-person learning experiences, create Web-based instructional materials, and coordinate evaluation efforts. Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Read the press release.

• 
  Promoting STEM Career Interest in the Classroom: An Exploratory Study Linking Teacher Professional Development with Changes in Teaching Practices
  Co-Principal Investigator, Educational Researcher
  

  This Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Studies project looks at the ITEST portfolio of past and current projects from the perspective of two important and widespread roles that teachers are placed in during professional development programs: 1) teachers working as curriculum developers, where they learn content and receive pedagogical support and then develop their own curricular materials and 2) teachers working as pedagogical experts, where they learn to use provided curricular materials and work on adaptations/plans to implement them in their classrooms. Specifically, we want to understand what kinds of professional development activities promote and/or influence innovative technology classroom implementation and changes in teaching practices, and under what circumstances. This study is collaborative effort among researchers at EDC, TERC, and the University of Maryland. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) Workshops
  Principal Investigator, Professional Development Specialist, Internal Evaluator
  

  In this professional development project, grade 6 to 12 science, math, and technology teachers learn to use the National Science Digital Library (NSDL), the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE), and an Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) chapter. Web-conferencing and teleconferencing enables participants across the nation to interact with each other as they walk through an EET chapter, learning basic data analysis techniques and discussing ways to use Earth science datasets and analysis tools with their students. I lead the EET Workshops project, develop and facilitate web-conferencing workshops, create Web-based instructional materials, and coordinate evaluation efforts. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Eyes in the Sky
  Co-Principal Investigator, Professional Development Specialist, Internal Evaluator
  

  This professional development program prepares science teachers to use geospatial information technologies (e.g. geographic informations systems, global positioning systems, aerial and satellite images, and image analysis software) in community-based environmental research projects. The program includes a distance learning course, a two-week face-to-face workshop, classroom implementation, and a research showcase. I helped to develop and facilitate all aspects of the Eyes in the Sky professional development program, including creating and delivering an online distance-learning course on GIS and image analysis. Materials from this program will be soon be available online. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Project REDI: Renewable Data Energy Investigations
  Principal Investigator, Curriculum Developer
  

  This collaborative project, under development by TERC and KidWind, is creating two curriculum modules using online renewable energy data. One module is focused on wind turbines, while the other is focused on PV solar energy. The activities use data from photovoltaic (PV) solar installations and wind turbines that can be downloaded from online services. I lead this project and develop instructional materials. Funded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Transforming Instruction by Design in Earth Science (TIDES)
  Co-Principal Investigator, Professional Development Specialist, Educational Researcher
  

  This research study compares three professional development designs for preparing teachers to teach for understanding in middle school science. In one design, teachers learn how to adopt high-quality curriculum materials developed by experts in Earth science and curriculum design. In a second design, teachers learn how to design curriculum experiences aligned to local standards using available materials and lessons they developed themselves. In a third "hybrid" design, teachers learn how to adapt expert-developed materials in a principled way to align to local standards. Evidence from a randomized controlled trial indicates the hybrid design is effective in improving the quality of teachers' assignments and in improving student achievement. I facilitate professional development, develop research instruments, interpret research results, and write and present findings in papers and at national meetings. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

• 
  Earth Science by Design (ESBD)
  Professional Development Specialist, Curriculum Developer
  

  This professional development program brings the pedagogical approach of Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe, 2005) to the teaching of Earth science. Middle and high school teachers learn to: 1) teach for deeper, enduring understanding, 2) teach to the big ideas in Earth and Space Science, and 3) use visualizations and satellite imagery to promote student understanding. This yearlong program includes a two-week summer institute, fall and spring conferences, and staff and peer mentoring during the school year. Teachers learn the principles of "backward design", applying them to a unit they restructure and teach to their students. I helped create and facilitate all aspects of the program, am second author of the Earth Science by Design Handbook for Staff Developers, and co-lead ESBD leadership workshops for those interested in bringing this program to their school or district. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  AccessData
  Curriculum Developer
  

  Annual workshops through this project bring together teams of data representatives, tool specialists, scientists, educational materials developers, and college and high school educators that work with data in the Earth and environmental sciences. Teams develop educational modules that become chapters in the Earth Exploration Toolbook. I write and edit curriculum materials for the project. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET)
  Curriculum Developer, Internal Evaluator
  

  This online resource for teachers and students is a collection of computer-based learning activities within the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) and the Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE). Activities or "chapters" in the EET provide step-by-step instructions for accessing specific data and for using a software analysis tool to explore issues or concepts in science, technology, and mathematics. I develop EET chapters and oversee evaluation efforts, including the coordination of field testing. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  DataTools
  Internal Evaluator, GIS Specialist
  

  This professional development program prepares middle and high school teachers to incorporate data analysis software into their teaching to meet their curricular goals. Teachers learn image, numeric, and geospatial data analysis. The program includes Web-conferencing workshops, a two-week summer face-to-face workshop, fall and spring workshops, and classroom implementation. I facilitate workshops, provide geographic information systems support, and carry out formative evaluation. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

• 
  Exploring Earth
  Curriculum Developer
  

  Through this project, TERC partnered with a textbook publisher (McDougal Littell) to produce inquiry and technology-based activities to accompany a widely used high school Earth science textbook. I was a curriculum developer on this project, creating a number of investigations, visualizations, and data centers. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Presentations and Workshops at Professional Conferences and Meetings (2005 to Present)

McAuliffe, C. Investigating the Quality of Well Water: Mapping Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) with a Geographic Information System (GIS), workshop held at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, March 19-March 22, 2009.

McAuliffe, C., Dahlman, L., and Ledley, T.S. Mapping Environmental Quality with a GIS: Exploring the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) for Countries Across the World, workshop held at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA, March 19-March 22, 2009.

McAuliffe, C., and Ledley, T.S. Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Web-Conferencing and Teleconferencing Professional Development Bringing Earth Science Data Analysis and Visualization Tools to K-12 Teachers and Students, presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 15-19, 2008.

McWilliams, H., McAuliffe, C., and Penuel, W. Transforming Instructional Designs in Earth Science (TIDES), poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 15-19, 2008.

Haddad, N., Ledley, T.S., McAuliffe, C. and Dahlman, L. DataTools: A Professional Development Program Supporting the Integration of Technology and Scientific Data in Earth Science Classrooms, poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 15-19, 2008.

McAuliffe, C. Renewable Energy Data Investigations (REDI): Inquiry-based Activities for Middle and High School Science Classrooms Using Online Data, workshop held at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA, March 27-April 1, 2008.

McAuliffe, C. and Dahlman, L. Mapping Environmental Quality with a GIS: Exploring the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) for Countries Across the World, workshop held at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA, March 27-April 1, 2008.

Dahlman, L. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Web-Conferencing and Teleconferencing Professional Development for Using Digital Data and Analysis Tools, presentation at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA, March 27-April 1, 2008.

McWilliams, H. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Science by Design: A Professional Development Program for Middle School Earth Science, presentation at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA, March 27-April 1, 2008.

McAuliffe, C., Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L. and Haddad, N. Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Helping Teachers and Students Analyze Web-based Scientific Data, poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 10-14, 2007.

McWilliams, H. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Science by Design: Teaching the Big Ideas in Earth System Science, presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 10-14, 2007.

Haddad, N., Ledley, T.S., McAuliffe, C., and Dahlman, L. The Earth Exploration Toolbook: Scaffolding Access and Use of Earth Science Data to Promote Effective Inquiry Investigations by Students, presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 10-14, 2007.

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., and Haddad, N. DataTools: A Professional Development Program to Facilitate the Effective Use of Earth Science Data and Analysis Tools in the Middle School Classroom, presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 10-14, 2007.

Penuel, W., McAuliffe, C., and McWilliams, H. Investigating the Role of the Teacher in Science Curriculum: New Evidence for an Old Debate, poster presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 10-14, 2007.

McAuliffe, C. EET Workshops: Use of Web Conferencing Technology for Professional Development Settings, presented at the National Science Digital Library Annual Meeting, Washington DC, November 5-7, 2007.

Ledley, T.S., McAuliffe, C., Dahlman, L., and Haddad, N. Sustainability of an NSDL Project: The Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET), presented at the National Science Digital Library Annual Meeting, Washington DC, November 5-7, 2007.

McAuliffe, C., Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L. and Haddad, N. Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Professional Development that Promotes the Use of Web-based Scientific Data and Analysis Tools in Educational Settings, presented at the 2007 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, October 28-31, 2007.

McWilliams, H. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Science by Design: Teaching the Big Ideas in Earth System Science, presented at the 2007 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, October 28-31, 2007.

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., and Haddad, N. DataTools: A Professional Development Program to Facilitate the Effective Use of Earth Science Data and Analysis Tools in the Middle School Classroom, presented at the 2007 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, October 28-31, 2007.

McAuliffe, C. and Dahlman, L. Investigating Earthquakes with a Geographic Information System, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, St. Louis, MO, March 29-April 1, 2007.

Dahlman, L. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Exploration Toolbook Workshops: Learn & Earn! At home professional development for using digital data and analysis tools, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, St. Louis, MO, March 29-April 1, 2007.

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., and Haddad, N. Building Bridges Between the Scientist and Educational Community: The Earth Exploration Toolbook and Associated Spectrum of Education and Outreach Activities, presented at the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners Winter 2007 Meeting, January 3-5, 2007.

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., and Haddad, N. Tools for Data Analysis in the Middle School Classroom: A Teacher Professional Development Program, invited presentation at the Fall 2006 American Geophysical Union Meeting, San Francisco, CA. Dec 11-15, 2006.

McAuliffe, C. Professional Development Strategies to Support the Use of Earth Science Data and Analysis Tools, presented at the National Science digital Library All Projects Meeting, Washington, D.C. October 18-20, 2006.

Ledley, T.S., Dahlman, L., McAuliffe, C., and Haddad, N. Building Bridges Between the Scientist and Educational Community: The Earth Exploration Toolbook and Associated Spectrum of Education and Outreach Activities, presented at the National Science digital Library All Projects Meeting, Washington, D.C. October 18-20, 2006.

McAuliffe, C. and Dahlman, L. Eyes in the Sky: Bringing Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) into the Classroom, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Anaheim, CA April 6-9, 2006.

Dahlman, L., and McAuliffe, C. Making Measurements and Annotating Change in Satellite Images, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Anaheim, CA April 6-9, 2006.

McWilliams, H. and McAuliffe, C. Earth Science by Design Short Course, workshop held at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Anaheim, CA April 6-9, 2006.

Holt Cline, A., Blaha, D., and McAuliffe, C. When is Dinner Served? Predicting the Spring Phytoplaknton Bloom in the Gulf of Maine, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Anaheim, CA April 6-9, 2006.

McAuliffe, C. Earth Exploration Toolbook: Analyzing the Antarctic Ozone Hole, workshop held at MEC2006, Tempe, AZ March 11-13, 2006.

McAuliffe, C. Earth Exploration Toolbook: Step-by-Step Instructions for Using Digital Data and Analysis Tools, workshop held at MEC2006, Tempe, AZ March 11-13, 2006.

McAuliffe, C. and Lockwood, J. Earth Science by Design: A Professional Development Program for Middle School Earth Science, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Dallas, TX March 31-April 3, 2005.

McAuliffe, C. and Haddad, N. Earth Exploration Toolbook: Step-by-Step Instructions for Using Digital Data and Analysis Tools, presented at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Convention, Dallas, TX March 31-April 3, 2005.

Professional Affiliations

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA)
National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA)
Geological Society of America (GSA)
National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)

Personal

Dr. Carla McAuliffe lives in Tempe, Arizona with her husband, Dr. Joseph R. McAuliffe and their two children, Jacob and Lily.