Debi Hanuscin , PhD

Professor she/her/hers

About

Deborah (Debi) Hanuscin  is a Professor of Elementary Education and Science, Math, & Technology Education at Western Washington University. She is a former elementary teacher and museum educator.  She has led multiple state and federally-funded projects in science education focused on developing teacher leaders, improving elementary teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical skills, creating more inclusive science classrooms, and promoting culturally responsive teaching. Dr. Hanuscin currently serves as the Research Director for NSTA. She is a past Board Member of NARST and a Past President of the Association for Science Teacher Education.

Educational & Professional Experience

PhD, Curriculum & Instruction, Indiana University
MEd, Science & Environmental Education, Indiana University
BEd, Elementary Education, Florida State University

Professor, Science Education & Physics, University of Missouri
Informal Educator, Wonderlab Museum of Science (Bloomington Indiana)
Informal Educator, Odyssey Science Center (Tallahassee, FL)
Elementary Teacher Grades 4-5, Leon County Schools (Tallahassee, FL)

Recent Publications

BOOKS & BOOK CHAPTERS

Hanuscin, D. & van Garderen, D (2020) Universal design for learning: Re-framing elementary science instruction. NSTA Press.

Hanuscin, D., Khajeloo, M., & Herman, B. (2020) From research to practice: Assessing NOS in the classroom. pp. 409-423. In McComas, W. (Ed.) The Nature of Science and Science Education: Rationales and Strategies.

Hanuscin, D., Sinha, S., & Hall, M. (2016) Supporting teachers in (re)constructing identities as teacher-leaders: The role of professional development. In Studying Science Teacher Identity: Theoretical Perspectives, Methodological Approaches and Empirical Findings. Lucy Avraamidou, Editor. Sense Publishers.

Hanuscin, D., & Park-Rogers, M., Eds. (2013) Perspectives: Research and Tips to Support Science Education, K-6. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press. 

Hanuscin, D., van Garderen, D., Menon, D., Davis, J., Lee, E. J., & Smith, S. R. (2013). Quality Elementary Science Teaching: A Professional Development QUEST. In R. A. Yager (Ed.) Exemplary science: Best practices in professional development. NSTA Press: Arlington, VA.

Abell, S. K., Appleton, K., & Hanuscin, D. (2010) Designing the elementary science methods course. New York: Routledge. 

SELECTED RESEARCH ARTICLES

Hanuscin, D., Borda, E., Melton, J., & Mikeska, J. N. (2024). Designing Educative Curriculum Materials for Teacher Educators: Supporting Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Content Knowledge for Teaching About Matter and Its Interactions. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 1-21.

Taylor, J., Hanuscin, D., Lee, O., Lynch, S., Stuhlsatz, M., & Talbot, R. (2023). Sources and consequences of teacher attrition in large-scale impact studies: New insights from a NARST invited panel. Research in Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/00345237231155

Hanuscin, D., & Green, S. (2023). (Re) learning to Teach Science with a Hearing Impairment: An Auto-ethnographic Study. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 34(4), 352-368.

Hanuscin, D., Donovan, D., Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A., Borda, E., DeBari, S., Melton, J., Le, T., Morrison, W. & Ronca, R. (2021). Supporting the Professional Development of Science Teacher Educators Through Shadowing. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 1-21.

Hanuscin, D., de Araujo, Z., Cisterna, D., Lipsitz, K., & van Garderen, D. (2020) The re-novicing of elementary teachers in science? Grade level reassignment and teacher PCK. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 31 (7), 780-801.

Sinha, S. & Hanuscin, D. (2017) Development of teacher-leader identity: A multiple case study. Teaching and Teacher Education, 63: 356–371. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2017.01.004 

Hanuscin, D., Lipsitz, K., Cisterna, D., Arnone, K.A., van Garderen, D., de Araujo, Z., & Lee, E.J. (2016). Developing coherent conceptual storylines: Two elementary challenges. Journal of Science Teacher Education,27(4), 393-414. DOI 10.1007/s10972-016-9467-2
*Selected for the NSTA Annual ‘Research Worth Reading’ list.

Hanuscin, D., Cheng, Y., Rebello, C., Sinha, S., & Muslu, N. (2014). The use of blogging as a practice to support teachers' identity development as leaders. Journal of Teacher Education, 65(3), 207-222.

Abell, S. K., Rogers, M. P., Hanuscin, D. L., Lee, M. H., & Gagnon, M. J. (2009) Preparing the next generation of science teacher educators: A model for developing PCK for teaching science teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 20(9), 77-93.

Akerson, V.L., & Hanuscin, D. (2007) Teaching the nature of science through inquiry: Results of a three-year professional development program. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 44(5), 653-680. *Most downloaded article in JRST in 2007

PRACTITIONER ARTICLES FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHER EDUCATORS

Hanuscin, D., A. Whatley, B. Dahlman-Oeth, P. Sanchez, B. Dixon, and D. Savage. (2022). Growing Understanding from a SPARK. Connected Science Learning 4 (3). https://www.nsta.org/connected-science-learning/connected-science-learning-may-june-2022/growing-understanding-spark

de Araujo, Z. Otten, S., & Hanuscin, D. (2020) Practices for Mathematics and Science Integration. Teaching Children Mathematics.

Hill, T., Presley, M., Davis, J. & Hanuscin, D. (2020) Introducing the NGSS in preservice teacher education. Innovations in Science Teacher Education, 5(1). 

King, K., Hanuscin, D., & Cisterna, D. (2019) What properties matter? Exploring essential properties of matter. Science and Children, 56 (9), 44-49.

Cisterna, D., Lipsitz, K., Hanuscin, D., de Araujo, Z., & van Garderen, D. (2018). Supporting science teachers in creating lessons with explicit conceptual storylines. Innovations in Science Teacher Education, 3(1). 

Lipsitz, K., Cisterna, D., & Hanuscin, D.  (2017) The 5E Learning Cycle: What’s the story? Science and Children, 55(4), 76-80.

Hanuscin, D., van Garderen, D., Menon, D., Davis, J., Lee, E. J., & Smith, S. R. (2011). Teacher? Learner? Both! Science and Children. v48 n6 p55-59.

Hanuscin, D. and Lee, M. H. (2008). Using the learning cycle as a model for teaching the learning cycle to preservice elementary teachers. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 20(2), 51-66. 

Selected Awards & Honors

2023                Outstanding Paper, Implications of Research for Practice, Association for Science Teacher Education 

2019                Outstanding Mentor, Association for Science Teacher Education  

2014                Outstanding Science Teacher Educator , Association for Science Teacher Education 

2011                Missouri Science Educator Award for Distinguished Contributions, Science Teachers of Missouri  

2007                College of Education Undergraduate Instructor of the Year, COE Student Council

2001                Outstanding Associate Instructor, Indiana University School of Education

1998-99           Campus Teacher of the Year, Killearn Lakes Elementary

1997                Seed Pearl Award for Excellence in Science Teaching, Leon County School District