Geology Professor

Renee Clary

Renee Clary’s principal area of research is geoscience education. She and LSU Professor Jim Wandersee are co-directors of EarthScholars Research Group (www.EarthScholars.com), whose primary focus is the integration of geological and biological knowledge during science instruction, in both formal and informal settings. Current areas of EarthScholars’ research includes the incorporation of the history of geobiology to improve science understanding, the improvement of visual geology/biology learning through innovative visualization strategies, and the maximization of geology/biology learning experiences in informal educational settings and at field sites. Renee is a regular presenter at major, peer-reviewed science education research conferences and she has presented EarthScholars’ research findings extensively, both in the US and abroad. In addition, Renee researches technological advances that aid student learning, in both classroom and online settings. Renee numbers her past students in thousands, and has experience teaching university geology courses such as Geology and Man, Physical Geology, Earth History, Historical Geology, Earth Science, Dinosaurs, Invertebrate Paleontology, Geochemistry, and Instrumental Examination of Earth Materials.

Renee also stays close to her geological roots by maintaining research programs in geology. Her geological areas of interest include environmental geochemistry and paleontology.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, Geoscience Education; Louisiana State University (2003)

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Science Education; University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1998)

M.S. Geology; University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1997)

B.S. Chemistry; University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1983)

EXPERIENCE

2007: Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University, Department of Geosciences

2006: Instructor, Mississippi State University, Department of Geosciences

2005: Instructor, Northwestern State University, Department of Chemistry and Physics

2004-2005: Assistant Professor and Director, X-Ray Center; University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Department of Geology

2000-2004: Instructor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Department of Geology

1999-2003: Geology Instructor, South Louisiana Community College

1998: Research Assistant, Magnetic Products International

1984-1986: Chemistry and Calculus Instructor, Episcopal School of Acadiana

1983-1984: Chemist, Dow Chemical USA

1982-1983: Chief Laboratory Assistant, Asbestos Research Program

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Clary, R.M., Gresham, D., Bases, F., Hamlin, E., Bergeron, N., Petry, C., LaGrange, M., & Fischer, E. (2005). Sediment and water analysis adjacent to an active scrap yard and archived Superfund site, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. GulfCoast Association of Geological Societies Transactions, 55.

Clary, R.M., Duex, T.D., Kinsland, G.L., & Lock, B.E. (2005). Geology of Louisiana, in Carlson, Plummer, & McGeary Earth Revealed (Special 6 th edition for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, R.M. Clary, Editor). McGraw-Hill.

Clary, R.M., Duex, T.D., Kinsland, G.L, & Lock, B.E. (2005). Geology of Louisiana, in Prothero & Dott Evolution of the Earth (Special 7 th edition for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, R.M. Clary, Editor). McGraw-Hill.

Clary, R. M., & Wandersee, J. H. (2006). Mary Anning: She’s more than “Seller of sea shells at the seashore.” The American Biology Teacher, 139 (3), 153-157.

Clary, R.M., & Wandersee, J.H. (2005). Through the looking glass: The history of aquarium views and their potential to improve learning in science classrooms. Science and Education, 14, 579-596.

Clary, R.M., & Wandersee, J.H. (in press). Great expectations: Florence Bascom (1842 -1945) and the education of the first generation of US women geologists. In C. Burek (Ed.), The role of women in the history of geology. Bath, England: The Geological Society of London.

Clary, R. M., & Wandersee, J. H. (in press). Mary Anning: She’s more than “Seller of sea shells at the seashore.” The American Biology Teacher.

Clary, R.M., & Wandersee, J.H. (in press). A mixed methods analysis of the effects of an integrative geobiological study of petrified wood in introductory college geology classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

Clary, R.M., & Wandersee, J.H. (2006). A Writing template for probing students’ Geological Sense of Place. Science Education Review, 5(2), 51-59

Wandersee, J.H., & Clary, R.M. (in press). Learning on the trail: A content analysis of a university arboretum’s exemplary interpretative science signage system. The American Biology Teacher.

Wandersee, J.H., & Clary, R.M. (in press). Science in the curriculum. In F.W. English (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing.

Wandersee, J.H., & Clary, R.M. (2006). Fieldwork: New directions and examples in informal science education research (pp 167-176). In J. Mintzes & W. Leonard (Eds.), NSTA handbook of college science teaching: Theory, research, & practice. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

Wandersee, J.H., & Clary, R.M. (2006). Interactive Historical Vignette: The scientific endeavors of Mary Anning, the first woman paleontologist (Ch. 34, v. 2, pp 283-290). In K. Tobin (Ed.), Teaching and learning science: A handbook. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Selected Professional Affiliations

American Educational Research Association

American Geophysical Union

Association for Women Geoscientists

Geological Society of America

Geological Society of London

History of Geology Group ( London Geological Society)

International Geological Congress (Lifetime Member)

National Association of Biology Teachers

National Association of Geoscience Teachers

National Association for Research in Science Teaching

National Earth Science Teachers Association

National Science Teachers Association

Society for College Science Teachers

Award and Honors

Fellow, Geological Society of London, 2006

Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, 2005 (student-nominated)

Richard G. Neiheisel Phi Beta Kappa Endowed Award, Outstanding Graduate Student,

December 1997

Board of Regents Fellowship in Geology, January 1996-December 1997

Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1996

International Leaders in Achievement, 1987

International Who's Who of Professional and Business Women, 1987

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Outstanding Graduate, College of Sciences, May

1983

email: rclary@geosci.msstate.edu