Sam Spiegel
Sam Spiegel is Chair of the Disciplinary Literacy in Science Team at the Institute for Learning (IFL) and Associate Director of Outreach and Development for the Swanson School of Engineering's Engineering Education Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, he was a science educator at Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS). Dr. Spiegel also served as Director of Research & Development for a multimedia development company and as founding Director of the Center for Integrating Research & Learning (CIRL) at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University. Under Dr. Spiegel's leadership, the CIRL matured into a thriving Center recognized as one of the leading National Science Foundation Laboratories for activities to promote science, mathematics, and technology(STEM) education. While at Florida State University, Dr. Spiegel also directed an award winning teacher enhancement program for middle grades science teachers, entitled Science For Early Adolescence Teachers (Science FEAT).
His extensive background in science education includes experiences as both a middle school and high school science teacher, teaching science at elementary through college level, developing formative assessment instruments, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in science and science education, working with high-risk youth in alternative education centers, working in science museums, designing and facilitating cyber-based courses, multimedia curriculum development, and leading and researching professional learning for educators. The Association for the Education of Teachers of Science (AETS) honored Dr.Spiegel for his efforts in teacher education with the Innovation in Teaching Science Teachers award (1997).
Dr. Spiegel has been the invited keynote speaker to notable science education events such as the American Physical Society’s Centennial meeting and the Shell Seminar at the National Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) national conference. His publications include books, curriculum resources (print, manipulatives, DVD, Web, and CD-ROM mediums), research and professional practice articles, and numerous professional presentations.