Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
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.
Teaching
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
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Projects
- 1 Active
-
R3188EDU: Department of Education - Project 928/ITT 1533
Connolly, P., Kerr, K., O'Hare, L., Sibbett, C. & Winter, K.
01/08/2009 → …
Project: Research
-
An evaluation of Ulster Wildlife's Grassroots Challenge Project
Kerr, K., 21 Jun 2021, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
-
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) – an un/predictable education in Northern Ireland?
Kerr, K., 21 May 2021, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
-
Let's all go on a bug hunt! Science learning in the local environment
Kerr, K., Nov 2020, InTouch, September 2020, 197.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure) -
Report for Ulster Wildlife: An evaluation of the Grassroots Challenge Project 2019-20
Kerr, K., Sep 2020, QUB.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile21 Downloads (Pure) -
Report for Belfast City Council: An Evaluation of the ParkLife Education Programme 2018-19
Kerr, K., Sep 2019, 47 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Activities
-
Northern Ireland Environment Link (External organisation)
Karen Kerr (Board Member)
16 Sep 2022Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
-
Exploring the impact of teaching science through socioscientific issues on primary school children’s scientific literacy: A multiple site case study
Karen Kerr (Examiner)
15 Mar 2021Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
-
Northern Ireland Environment Link (External organisation)
Karen Kerr (Board Member)
2021 → 2027Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
-
The impact of a biodiversity focussed outdoor learning programme in school grounds on primary school children's mood, wellbeing, resilience, connection to nature, knowledge, and perception of nature
Karen Kerr (Examiner)
05 Nov 2020Activity: Examination types › PhD external examination
-
Environmental Sustainability Education Research Development Network (UK and Ireland) (External organisation)
Karen Kerr (Member)
2020 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of network
Press / Media
-
Minister launches Environmental Engagement Index for Northern Ireland
05/01/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
-
UK National Association for Environmental Education blog entitled: "We want to make a difference for nature"
05/01/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
-
Grassroots Challenge celebration event
26/11/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
-
Academics launch new Irish Association for Primary Science Education
20/11/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
-
Parklife programme hailed as best in class
14/02/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
Thesis
-
"I don't like splashing in the water" : Children's voices in primary science
Author: Kerr, K., Dec 2008Supervisor: Murphy, C. (Supervisor) & Beggs, J. (External person) (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
File