Jim Jadrich
- Dr. Jim Jadrich
- Professor
- Physics and Astronomy, Science Education Studies, Education
- North Hall 052C (Map)
- (616) 526-6409
- jim.jadrich@calvin.edu
Education
- BS, University of California, Fresno, 1982
- PhD, physics, University of California, Davis, 1991
Biography
James Jadrich has worked in the field of science education for over 25 years. He is known for his outstanding teaching of undergraduate and graduate students and is a recipient of the Calvin Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. He received his masters and PhD in physics from the University of California, Davis, and is now Chair of the Science Education Group and Professor of Science Education and Physics at Calvin College.
He has received numerous grants and published many papers, book chapters, and a textbook in his research areas of scientific reasoning and science teacher development. In addition to Calvin College, he has also worked at the University of California, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois and has taught science in grades 6–12 in Australia. He is also actively engaged in teacher and school development in Liberia, West Africa.
Additional information
- News & Stories' Faculty profile (June 26, 2008)
- Science Education Studies
Professional experience
- Professor of science education and physics, Calvin College, 2001–present
- Assistant and associate professor of science education and physics, Calvin College, 1992–2001
- Science teacher, Mount Evelyn Christian School, Victoria, Australia, 1996–97
- Education program leader, Education Office, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, 1994–95
- Assistant professor, Calvin College, 1992–94
Academic interests
- The development of scientific reasoning skills and strategies in students.
- Implementation of integrated process skills in science curricula.
- Development of a Christian teachers college in West Africa.
Graduate Studies in Education
James Jadrich has worked in the field of science education for over 25 years. He is known for his outstanding teaching of undergraduate and graduate students and is a recipient of the Calvin Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. He received his Masters and Ph. D. in Physics from the University of California, Davis, and is now Chair of the Science Education Group and Professor of Science Education and Physics at Calvin College.
He has received numerous grants and published many papers, book chapters, and a textbook in his research areas of scientific reasoning and science teacher development. In addition to Calvin College, he has also worked at the University of California, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois and has taught science in grades 6 -12 in Australia. He is also actively engaged in teacher and school development in Liberia, West Africa.
Publications
Bruxvoort, C. and Jadrich, J. (2016) Don’t Short Circuit STEM Instruction: Exploring the goals of engineering and science. The Science Teacher, Vol. 83 (1): 23-28.
Jadrich, J. & Bruxvoort, C. (2013) Confusion in the classroom about the natures of science and technology: Implications for scientific & technological literacy. In M. Clough, J. Olson, & D. Neiderhauser (Eds.) The nature of technology: Implications for teaching, learning and teacher education, (pp. 411-426). Boston, MA: Sense Publishing.
Jadrich, J. (2013). A Cognitive Perspective on Conceptual Change in Science. In K. Finson, & J. Pedersen (Eds.),Visual Data and Their Use in Science Education, Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Jadrich, J., and Bruxvoort, C. (2012). Science and Engineering. In E. Brunsell (Ed.) Integrating Engineering and Science In Your Classroom (pp. 7-12) Arlington, VA: National Science Teachers Association.
James Jadrich and Crystal Bruxvoort, Learning & Teaching Scientific Inquiry: Research and Applications (NSTA press, National Science Teachers Association), 2011.
Jadrich, J., and C. Bruxvoort. (2010) Investigating Diffusion and Entropy with Carbon Dioxide-Filled Balloons. The Physics Teacher, Vol. 48 (6): 388-390.
Harkema, J., Jadrich, J., and Bruxvoort, C. (2009) "Science and Engineering: Two models of laboratory investigation. The Science Teacher, 76(9), 27-31. Download article (147 kb 
).
Sportel, S., Bruxvoort, C., and Jadrich, J. (2009) "Seeing the Light: An alternate model for introducing upper elementary students to light." Science and Children, 47 (4): 37-41. Download article (814 kb 
).
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