Mary J. Leonard, Ph.D.
Department of Education, Montana State University
117 Reid Hall, Bozeman, Montana, 59717-2880
Phone: (406) 994-2336 Email: [email protected]
EDUCATION
Ph.D.
Educational Psychology, Emphasis: The Learning Sciences, 2006
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Dissertation: “What’s the science behind it?” Models and modeling in a design-for-science
classroom
M.S.
Educational Psychology, Emphasis: Cognitive Science Applied to Education, 2001
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
Thesis: Effects of gender-adapted instruction on mathematics performance and attitudes
B.A.
Biology - Environmental Emphasis, with High Honors, 1985
University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
B.S.
Computer Science - Scientific Applications Emphasis, with High Honors, 1985
University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2014-present Director, Science Math Resource Center, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
2014-present Associate Professor, Education, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
2008-2014
Assistant Professor, Science Education, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
2006-2007
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Project: CoMPASS: Integrating digital text into design-based science
classes; PI: Sadhana Puntambekar, Ph.D.
2003-2005
Assistant Professor, Military Science, University of Dubuque, Iowa (part-time)
2002-2003
Adjunct Faculty, U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, Leavenworth, Kansas (parttime)
2001-2003
Research Project Assistant, School of Education Dean’s Office, University of WisconsinMadison. Project: Evaluation of Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program; PI: Elizabeth
Fennema, Ph.D.
2001-2003
Research Project Assistant, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of WisconsinMadison. Project: Video cases online: Cognitive studies of pre-service teacher learning; PI:
Sharon J. Derry, Ph.D.
2001-2002
Teaching Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. Curriculum &
Instruction 675: Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program Advanced Seminar
1998-2000
Research Project Assistant, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of WisconsinMadison. Project: Tutorials in problem solving; PI: Sharon J. Derry, Ph.D.
1996-1998
Quality Assurance Manager & Software Project Management Consultant, SITA Research &
Development, Atlanta, Georgia
1993-1996
Research Engineer, Software Development, SITA Research & Development, Atlanta, Georgia
1992-1993
Software Engineer, BDM International, Sierra Vista, Arizona
1992-2005
U.S. Army Reserve, Military Intelligence Officer, Arizona, Georgia, & Iowa
1985-1992
U.S. Army, Military Intelligence Officer, Germany & Arizona
UNIVERSITY COURSES TAUGHT
Montana State University
EDCI 690
EDCI 598
Doctoral Thesis (1-6 cr)
Research Internship (3 cr)
Mary J. Leonard
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EDCI 598
Teaching Internship (3 cr)
EDCI 575
Professional Paper or Project (3 cr, online)
EDCI 525
Improving Instruction in Science (3 cr, online)
EDCI 506
Applied Education Research (3 cr, online)
EDU 490R
Undergraduate Research (3 cr)
EDU 397
Methods: K-8 Science (2 cr lecture/1 cr lab)
EDU 223IS Educational Psychology & Adolescent Development (3 cr)
University of Dubuque, Iowa
MIL 103
The American Defense Establishment (1 cr)
MIL 113
Foundations of Army Leadership (1 cr)
MIL 115
Military Leadership and Problem Solving (2 cr)
PUBLICATIONS
Refereed Journals
Leonard, M.J., Kalinowski, S.T., & Andrews, T.C. (2014). Misconceptions yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
CBE-Life Sciences Education, 13, 179-186. doi: 10.1187/cbe.13-12-0244.
Kalinowski S.T., Leonard, M.J., Andrews, T.A., Litt, A.R. (2013). Six classroom exercises to teach natural
selection to undergraduate biology students. CBE- Life Sciences Education, 12, 483-493. doi:
10.1091/cbe-12-06-0070.
Leonard, M.J., Hannahoe, R.M., Nollmeyer, G.E., & Shaw J.A. (2013). Teaching and learning geometric
optics in middle school through the Turning Eyes to the Big Sky project. Optical Engineering, 52,
069001-1-11. doi: 10.1117/1.OE.52.6.069001.
Kalinowski, S.T., Andrews, T.M., Leonard, M.J., & Snodgrass, M. (2012). Are Africans, Europeans, and
Asians different ‘races’? A guided inquiry lab for introducing undergraduate students to genetic
diversity. CBE – Life Sciences Education, 11, 142-151. doi:10.1187/cbe.11-09-0087.
Andrews, T.M., Leonard, M.J., Colgrove, C.A., & Kalinowski, S.T. (2011). Active learning not associated
with student learning in a random sample of college biology courses. CBE – Life Sciences Education,
10, 394-405. doi:10.1187/cbe.11-07-0061.
Andrews, T.M., Kalinowski, S.T., Leonard, M.J. (2011). “Are humans evolving?” A classroom
discussion to change students’ misconceptions about natural selection. Evolution: Education and
Outreach, 4, 456-466. doi: 10.1007/s12052-011-0343-4.
Kalinowski, S.T., Leonard, M.J., & Andrews, T.M. (2010). Nothing in evolution makes sense except
in the light of DNA. CBE – Life Sciences Education, 9, 87-97. doi:10.1187/cbe.09-12-0088.
(Selected for and republished in CBE – Life Sciences Education, Highlights of 2010, Vol. 9)
Leonard, M.J., & Fennema, E. (2008). The Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program: An evaluation.
Teachers College Record, 110, 1379-1396.
Leonard, M.J. (2005). Examining tensions in a “design for science” activity system: Science versus
engineering goals and knowledge. Tidskrift för Lärarutbildning och Forskning [Journal of Research in
Teacher Education], 3, 132-146. Umeå, Sweden: Umeå University, The Faculty of Teacher Education
Board.
Invited Book Chapters
Leonard, M.J. & Derry, S.J. (2013). Insight into teaching and learning: The complex face of video research.
In R. Luckin, S. Puntambekar, P. Goodyear, B. Grabowski, J. Underwood, & N. Winters (Eds.),
Handbook of Design in Educational Technology (pp. 439-447). New York, NY: Routledge.
Mary J. Leonard
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Working Papers
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (2011). “What’s the Science Behind It?” The Interaction of Engineering
and Science Goals, Knowledge, and Practices in a Design-Based Science Activity (Wisconsin
Center for Education Research Working Paper No. 2011-5).
Program Evaluations
Fennema, E., & Leonard, M.J. (2003, July). Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program: An evaluation.
Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education.
Refereed Published National/International Conference Proceedings
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (2006). Tensions and tradeoffs in a “design for science” classroom: The
“forces in balloon” lecture. In S.A. Barab, K.E. Hay, & D.T. Hickey (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th
International Conference of the Learning Sciences: Vol. 1. (pp. 411-417). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates for International Society of the Learning Sciences.
Refereed Published Regional Conference Proceedings
Leonard, M.J., Kalinowski, S.T., & Taper, M.L. (2015). More than the ideas themselves: Influence of
student attributes in conceptual change. The Researcher, 27, 34-42.
Non-Refereed Published National/International Conference Proceedings
Leonard, M.J., Hannahoe, R.M., & Nollmeyer, G.E. (2012). Turning Eyes to the Big Sky project:
Learning optics in middle-school. In G.G. Gregory (Ed.), Proceedings of SPIE: Vol. 8481. Optics
Education and Outreach II (pp. 84810G1-G9). SPIE Digital Library. doi:10.1117/12.928895.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (Under revision). Integrating engineering and science in a middle-school
classroom. Journal of Research in Science Teaching.
Kalinowski S.T., Leonard M.J., & Reuer, M. (Under revision) “I’m sure anything would do better with
eyes:” Why students have difficulty understanding the evolution of trait loss.
Leonard, M.J., Clark, J., & Colgrove, C.A. (In preparation). Pre-service elementary teachers’ knowledge of
STEM fields and their relationships.
Leonard, M.J., Kalinowski, S.T., & Andrews, T.M. (In preparation). Tracing university students’ developing
understandings of natural selection: A learning progression.
Leonard, M.J., & Puntambekar, S. (In preparation). Learning in context: Developing generalizations of
science concepts in a design-based science classroom.
PRESENTATIONS
Refereed National/International Conference Presentations
Andrews, T.M., Kalinowski, S.T., Leonard, M.J. (2012, July). Classroom exercises for teaching natural
selection to undergraduate biology students. Paper presented at the second annual meeting of the
Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Andrews, T.M., Leonard, M.J., Colgrove, C.A., & Kalinowski, S.T. (2011, July) Active learning NOT
associated with learning gains in a random sample of college biology courses. Paper presented at the
first annual meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mary J. Leonard
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Andrews, T.M., Leonard, M.J., & Kalinowski, S.T. (2011, April). Do teaching methods affect how well
students learn natural selection? A national survey of learning gains in introductory undergraduate
biology courses. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching annual
international conference, Orlando, Florida.
Leonard, M.J. & Puntambekar, S. (2009, April). Developing generalized understanding of science concepts
in a middle-school design-based science classroom. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Educational Research Association, San Diego, California.
Leonard, M.J. (2007, April). What’s the science behind it? Students’ models of motion in a design-forscience classroom. Paper presented at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching annual
international conference, New Orleans, Lousiana.
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (2007, April). The potential for conceptual modeling to bridge designs and
science: A case of opportunity missed. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American
Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Leonard, M.J., & Rebello, S., & Puntambekar, S. (2007, April). Change in students’ conceptual models of
science phenomena through CoMPASS instruction. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Educational Research Association, Chicago, Illinois.
Leonard, M.J., & Fennema, E. (2005, April). Preparing future educational researchers: Evaluation of the
Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Program. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the
American Educational Research Association, Montréal, Canada.
Leonard, M.J. (2004, April). Toward epistemologically authentic engineering design activities in the science
classroom. Paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching annual
international conference, Vancouver, Canada.
Stampen, J.O., Leonard, M.J., & Lee, J.A.-C. (2002, October). Case studies in building video cases. Paper
presented at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Seattle, Washington.
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (2001, April). Can gender-adapted instruction improve mathematics
performance and attitudes? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational
Research Association, Seattle, Washington.
Refereed Regional Conference Presentations
Clark, J., Leonard, M.J., & Colgrove, C.A. (2014, October). How elementary education teacher candidates
conceptualize STEM: Why does it matter? Paper presented at the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational
Research Association annual conference, Rapid City, South Dakota.
Leonard, M.J., & Colgrove, C.A. (2013, October). Pre-service elementary teachers' understandings of
STEM. Paper presented at the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association annual
conference, Jackson, Wyoming.
Leonard, M.J., & Derry, S.J. (2012, October). Using video in research into teaching and learning: Issues of
selection, analysis, technology, & ethics. Paper presented at the Northern Rocky Mountain Educational
Research Association annual conference, Park City, Utah.
Andrews, T.M., Kalinowski, S.T., Leonard, M.J. (2010, September/October). National survey of instructor
teaching methods in introductory college biology courses. Paper presented at the Northern Rocky
Mountain Educational Research Association annual conference, Big Sky, Montana.
Mary J. Leonard
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Leonard, M.J., & Colgrove, C.A. (2010, September/October). Developing preservice teachers’
understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge through model-based inquiry. Paper presented at the
Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association annual conference, Big Sky, Montana.
Invited Presentations
Leonard, M.J. (2010, March). Teaching for conceptual change in an undergraduate biology course.
Education Department Roundtable Discussion, Montana State University.
Leonard, M.J. (2008, November). Teaching “day & night” with traditional American Indian stories. Indian
Education for All poster session conference. Montana State University.
Leonard, M.J. (2007, January). There and back again: A dissertator’s tale. Annual Graduate Student Cohort
Meeting, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Leonard, M.J. (2006, November). Teaching and research partnerships in science education. Educational
Psychology 301: Human Abilities and Learning, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Leonard, M.J. (2000, October). MathZone: An example of computer-based instruction that embodies
cognitive principles. Educational Psychology 301: Human Abilities and Learning, University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
Thelen (Leonard), M.J. (1999, October). Can gender-adapted instruction improve mathematics performance
and attitudes? Madison Area Technical College In-Service Training, Wisconsin.
Thelen (Leonard), M.J. (1999, September). Can gender-adapted instruction improve mathematics
performance and attitudes? Department of Educational Psychology Student Research Colloquium,
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Teacher Professional Development Presentations & Workshops Conducted
2014
Integrate Engineering, Math, & Art with Pop-up Books co-presented with education professors P.
Lund and F. Luo at annual MEA-MFT Educator’s Conference, Missoula, Montana.
2010-13 Teaching Engineering Applications in Math, Science (TEAMS) annual workshops for teachers, codeveloped and co-facilitated with engineering and education project members: Bozeman (4), Box
Elder, & Pablo, Montana.
2012
Writing in Science presented at annual MEA-MFT Educator’s Conference, Billings, Montana
2011
Teaching Engineering Applications in Math, Science (TEAMS) co-presented with engineering and
education project members J. Collins, S. Watson, H. Sherick, K. Nelson, & S. Sophie at annual
MEA-MFT Educator’s Conference, Missoula, Montana.
2011
Engineering Design for Elementary Students presented at annual MEA-MFT Educator’s
Conference, Missoula, Montana.
2010
Turning Eyes to the Big Sky, telescope & optics curriculum workshop for teachers, co-facilitated
with undergraduate scholar R. Hannahoe and physics professor J. Shaw, Bozeman, Montana.
2010
The Crocodile Dentist: Teaching Scientific Models presented at annual MEA-MFT Educator’s
Conference, Helena, Montana.
2009
Model-based Inquiry: Earth-Moon-Sun Phenomena presented at annual MEA-MFT Educator’s
Conference, Billings, Montana.
PUBLICATION REVIEWS
Refereed Journals
The Researcher (Reviewer) 2013-14
Mary J. Leonard
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Science Education (Ad-hoc Reviewer) 2012-14
Journal of Educational Psychology (Ad-hoc Reviewer) 2011-12
Canadian Journal of Higher Education (Ad-hoc Reviewer) 2007
Refereed Conferences
Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association Annual Conference 2010, 2012-14
Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association 2005-06, 2009
Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference 2007
International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2006
FUNDED GRANTS & GRANT WRITING
2015-17
National Science Foundation: EHR Core Research (ECR) grant, What attributes of college biology
students influence conceptual change? Co-PI on 3-year, $511,795 grant with Dr. Steven
Kalinowski, Ecology, PI.
2012-14
Troops to Teachers (TTT). PI for ongoing $450,000+/year Department of Defense program
transitioning military members into teaching.
2011
Montana State University: Faculty Development Award (FDA). Course buy-out to support
preparation and submission of research articles and grant proposal.
2010-12
National Science Foundation: Course, Curriculum, or Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) grant,
Classroom exercises to promote a deep understanding of evolution among biology majors in
introductory courses. Co-PI on 3-year, $149,996 grant with Dr. Steven Kalinowski, Ecology, PI.
2009
Archeological Institute of America (AIA): Society Outreach Grant, Newgrange, Montana. Co-PI on
1-year, $3000 grant with Dr. Bryce Carpenter, Education, PI; Dr. John Miller, Neuroscience, Co-PI.
2008
Anasphere, Inc. PI on 1-year, $8250 grant for weather curriculum development and assessment.
UNFUNDED GRANT PROPOSALS
2013
NSF EHR Core Research (ECR) grant, A synthetic model of conceptual change. PI on 3-year,
$635,764 proposed grant with Dr. Steven Kalinowski, Ecology, co-PI.
2012
NSF Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science (TUES) grant, Identifying factors that
affect how students learn natural selection. Co-PI on 3-year, $200,000 proposed grant with Dr.
Steven Kalinowski, Ecology, PI; Dr. Andrea Litt, Ecology, Co-PI.
2011
NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Site in Engineering grant proposal for Montana
Energy Technologies: Teacher Research Experience. Senior person on 3-year, $449,637 proposed
grant with Dr. David Miller, Mechanical Engineering, PI; Dr. Scott Davis, Education, Co-PI. Other
senior personnel included Dr. Ahsan Mian, Mechanical Engineering; and Sheree Watson, College of
Engineering.
2010
MSU Buy-out for Enhancing Scholarship and Teaching (BEST) program, proposal for course buyout to support publication of research article.
2009
NSF Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Site in Engineering grant proposal for Research
Opportunities for Teachers in Energy Technologies. Co-PI on 3-year, $371,963 proposed grant with
Dr. Ahsan Mian, Mechanical Engineering, PI. Other Co-PIs included Dr. Scott Davis, Education;
Dr. David Miller, Mechanical Engineering; Sheree Watson, College of Engineering.
HONORS, AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
2012
Montana State University Faculty Award for Excellence
2012
Montana State University College of Education, Health & Human Development Merit Award
($1000 annual salary increase)
2010
Article selected for publication in CBE-Life Sciences Education, Highlights of 2010, Vol 9
2004
University of Wisconsin Vilas Travel Grant, $500. Award to support dissertation data collection.
Mary J. Leonard
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1999-2003 Wisconsin-Spencer Doctoral Research Training Program Fellowship, $37,000 plus tuition, 4 years.
Fellowship to study cognition, learning, and teaching in science and mathematics.
1998-99
University of Wisconsin Fellowship, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, $10,000 plus tuition,
1 year. Fellowship to study cognition, learning, and teaching in science and mathematics.
1998
University of Wisconsin Vilas Welcome Award, $600. Merit award upon admission.
SERVICE
Department
Department of Education, Montana State University
2013-14
Member, Awards Committee
2010-14
Member, Scholarship Committee
2008-13
Member, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
2011-12
Member, Educational Leadership Faculty Search Committee
2010-11
Co-Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
2010-11
Member, Teacher Education Program Accreditation – General Requirements Committee
2009-11
Member, Graduate Admissions Committee
2010
Member, Ad-Hoc Search Committee for Adjunct Professor of Educational Psychology
2009-10
Member, Promotion & Tenure Committee
2009-10
Member, Teacher Certification & Professional Practices Committee
2009,10
Interviewer, Elementary Education Student Teaching Seminar Mock Interviews
2008-09
Member, Library Committee
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2002-03
Member, Faculty Search Committee
2001,02
Organizer, Annual Graduate Student Cohort Meeting
2000-02
Representative, Department of Educational Psychology Student Association
2000
Undergraduate Research Mentor, Educational Psychology 301: Human Abilities and Learning
College
College of Education, Health & Human Development, Montana State University
2014-15
Member, College Promotion & Tenure Committee
University
Montana State University
2011-14
Floor Warden, Reid Hall
2012-13
Chair, Women’s Faculty Caucus Sub-committee for Programming
2011-13
Education Department Representative, Women’s Faculty Caucus Steering Committee
2011-12
Member, Astronomy Day Planning Committee
2009-12
Member, Committee on Grievance Hearings
2011
Member, Women’s Faculty Caucus Distinguished Mentor Award Selection Committee
2011
Leader, Conversations with Professors Group (new-student orientation)
2008-09
Member, Science-Math Teacher Initiative President’s Advisory Committee
2008-09
Member, Chemical Safety Committee
University of Wisconsin-Madison
2005
Reviewer, School of Education Vilas Travel Grant
State
Montana
Mary J. Leonard
2010-12
2011
2009-11
2009
Wisconsin
2007
8
Participant, Montana Science Teachers’ Association/Montana Council of Teachers of
Mathematics Leadership Conference
Participant, Statewide Montana STEM Forum bi-annual meetings
Member, Montana Math-Science Teacher Initiative Steering Committee
Participant, Montana Higher Education Consortium bi-annual meeting
Co-organizer, teacher professional development workshop in design-based inquiry science,
Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers annual convention
Professional
2009-15
Advisory Board Member, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation Teaching Engineering Applications in
Math, Science (TEAMS) grant at Montana State University
2012-14
State Representative, Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association Executive
Board
2011-13
Post-secondary Board Member, Montana Science Teachers’ Association
2012
Member, NASA Aerospace Education Services Project Professional Development Alliance
2009
Session Chair, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association
2004
Delegate, School of Education Exchange Seminar, Umeå Universitet, Sweden / University of
Wisconsin-Madison
2001
Delegate, Spencer Foundation Research Training Grant Conference, Core course(s) for fledgling
educational researchers (and their faculty), University of California-Los Angeles
Community
2008-14
Recruiter and organizer of education student instructors, annual Longfellow Elementary School
Wetlands Festival, Bozeman, Montana
2010,12
Judge, Montana AA Speech & Debate Tournament, Bozeman, Montana
2009-12
Organizer, annual MSU-NASA Education Workshops for pre- and in-service teachers, Bozeman,
Montana
2009-12
Commentator & recruiter of education student commentators, Emily Dickinson Elementary
School Science Fair, Bozeman, Montana
2011
Organizer for MSU student guest instructors, Bozeman High School Freshman Transitions
course, Montana State University
2011
Judge, Montana District National Qualifying Tournament, High School Forensics, Bozeman,
Montana
2010
Facilitator, Discovery Session: Get the 411 on College Life, College Quest, Montana State
University in coordination with CAP/THRIVE, Bozeman, Montana
2009-10
Instructor, Middle School Youth Ministry, Holy Rosary Parish, Bozeman, Montana
2009
Instructor, Discovery Session, Science: Mystery of the Black Box, College Quest, Montana State
University in coordination with CAP/THRIVE, Bozeman, Montana
2007
Small Group Facilitator, Middle School Youth Ministry, St. Maria Goretti Parish, Madison,
Wisconsin
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Educational Research Association
Division C: Learning and Instruction
Division K: Teaching and Teacher Education
SIG: Science Teaching and Learning
SIG: Learning Sciences
International Society of the Learning Sciences
Mary J. Leonard
Montana Science Teachers Association
National Science Teachers Association
Northern Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association
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