Karen Kerr

My general research area is Science Education. As well as completing my PhD study on primary children's attitudes to science and their concept development, I have also published and researched in the areas of teacher continuing professional development for science, assessment in science and, in particular, outdoor learning. I was the grant holder for the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) project at Queen's. Together with the Field Studies Council NI we rolled out this work in Northern Ireland. It was a citizen science project which aimed to engage members of the public in outdoor learning and environmental monitoring. We engaged with over 7000 children and young people and trained almost 600 teachers. I also conducted an outdoor learning project entitled Science Teaching for Transition in the Outdoor Classroom (STTOC) funded by the Primary Science Teaching Trust as part of the Northern Ireland hub. I have completed several evaluations of outdoor learning interventions to include Belfast City Council's ParkLife Education programme and Ulster Wildlife's Grassroots Challenge project. Recent research also looks at Education for Sustainable development and the broader outcomes of outdoor learning, to include the impact on health and well-being. I have also managed several Randomised Controlled Trials with accompanying process evaluations for interventions at primary and early post-primary levels. I am also currently working with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on the development and roll out of a nationwide Environmental Engagement Index.  

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

Co-ordinator - PGCE Science pathway

Teaching - 'Science Studies' module (Science)

Teaching - 'Education and Professional Studie's module (tutorial group leader, Theories of Learning lectures)

Supervision - School Experience tutor (Biology)

International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCEi)

Module convenor - 'Teaching in your Discipline' module

Teaching - 'Teaching in your Discipline' module

Teaching - 'Education Studies and International Perspectives' module

Supervision

Master's dissertation supervision

EdD theses supervision

PhD theses supervision

Previous modules

Master's teaching - Contemporary Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

Module convenor (Spring 2020) - Contemporary Perspectives on Teaching and Learning