Courses taught at GVSU:

BIO 120 General Biology I
BIO 111 General Biology I Laboratory
BIO 206 Ecology for K-8 Preservice Teachers
BIO 328 Environmental Ethics
ED 331 Science Teaching Assistant Seminar

Research interests:

As a science educator and biologist, my research interests include improving student learning and the conservation and ecology of the world¹s biodiversity. Since I just recently arrived in Michigan, I am still gaining knowledge of the local area and potential questions on which to build my research programs. However, below are some of my interests and specific questions in which I am interested in pursuing.

Biological Research:

I have a broad interest in vertebrate and community ecology, behavior, and conservation. My current biological research is focused on the ecology and conservation of amphibians. Evidence from the past two decades clearly indicates that the rate of decline in amphibian populations is higher than most species. Like most species, amphibians play an integral role in maintaining the ecological function of an ecosystem. With their unique life cycle, amphibians are important links between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The recognition of human impacts on the environment and the subsequent need to conserve and protect amphibians and their natural environment is the motivation for much of my current and future research. Specifically, my research interests center on understanding how habitat influences the distribution of amphibians and how anthropogenic factors influence the availability of habitat. To explore these concepts I rely on principles and techniques from Ecology and Conservation Biology. I am specifically interested in answering the following questions:

(1) How does habitat influence the distribution of amphibian species and amphibian communities?

(2) What effects do human impacts have on amphibian persistence?

Educational Research:

The primary goal of my educational research interests is to increase student learning. I am continually pursuing excellence in my own teaching using the same scholarly approach that I use to pursue biological research questions. Within the context of increasing student learning, I am interested in pursuing the following research questions:

(1) What are the effects of inquiry-based learning experiences on student learning?

(2) What are the interactive effects of introductory biology lecture and laboratory experiences on student learning?

(3) What are the impacts of technology on student learning?

Recent publications:

Burton, S., H. Miller*, and C. Roosinck*. 2007. Fall colors, temperature, and day length: Students use Internet data to explore the relationship between seasonal patterns and climate. The Science Teacher, 74(6):31-37.

Burton, S.R. and A. Massau*  2007. Amphibians and Golf Courses in West Michigan.  Final Report to Participating Golf Courses.

Weeks*, D.M. and S.R. Burton. 2007. Green Frog (Rana clamitans) calling habitat associations: Are males selecting calling habitat more closely associated with egg-laying or predator protection?  Final Report to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Poster – McNair Conference, Indiana University; Student Scholarship Day, GVSU, Undergraduate Research Symposium, Van Andel Instititue.

Peterson, C.R., S.R. Burton, D.A. Patla. In Press. Using Geographic Information Systems to Design Amphibian Surveys. Lannoo, M. (ed.). Status and Conservation of U.S. Amphibians, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.

Burton, S.R. and C.R. Peterson. 2000. Digital Atlas of Idaho: A GIS approach to teaching natural history of Idaho amphibians and reptiles. Gap Analysis Bulletin.

Recent Posters and Presentations:

Burton, S. 2007.  Incorporating Scientific Research into the Classroom.  National Science Teachers Association National Convention.  St. Louis, MO.

Burton, S. 2007. .  Looking for the Light: Observing Student Learning in the Classroom – Winter Workshop.

Burton, S.  2007.  Amphibian and Golf Courses in West Michigan.  Meeting of the West Michigan Golf Course Superintendent Association.  Grand Rapids, MI.

Burton, S.  2007.  Teaching science through inquiry.  Presentation to GVSU Teacher Assistants during their Current Practices seminar.  GVSU.  Invited Speaker.  Presented Winter.

Burton, S. 2007. How do we know when our students are learning because of our course? Avoiding assumptions in SCI 336.  Looking for the Light: Observing Student Learning in the Classroom – Winter Workshop.

Burton, S. 2007.  Natural Selection, Microevolution, Continuous Variation and Tootsie Pops - Yes, they are related! National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention.  Atlanta, Georgia.

Burton, S.R., C. Dobson, and J. Vigna. 2003. KABOOM!!! Doing Science to Learn Science. Science and Math Update Seminar. Regional Math and Science Center, Grand Valley State University.

Burton, S.R., A. Morris, M. Miller. 2003. Understanding and Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution by Students in Introductory Biology Classes. National Association of Biology Teachers Annual Conference. Portland, OR.

Burton, S.R. and P. North. Proposed Guidelines for Evaluation of Four-Year Undergraduate Programs in Biology.

Vigna, J. and S.R. Burton. 2003. Teaching Science with Inquiry. ED 331 - GVSU Teacher Assistant Content Seminar.

Burton, S.R. 2003. Why I study amphibians and reptiles. Invited class speaker. Creative Technologies Academy Class. Cedar Springs, MI.

Burton, S.R. 2003. Amphibian declines in southeast Idaho: using modeling to assess the habitat loss hypothesis - Invited seminar speaker. Eastern Michigan University.

Joseph, J. and S.R. Burton. 2003. Using Fast Plants to Teach Integrative Science. Michigan Science Teachers Association 50th Annual Conference. Grand Rapids, MI.

Burton, S.R., and K. Smith. 2003. Distribution, Preliminary Habitat Associations, and Relative Abundances of Two Frog Species Common to the Grand Valley State University Allendale Campus. Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters Annual Meeting, Hope College.

Scientific and Professional Societies:

Sigma Xi
Society for Conservation Biology
National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
Michigan Academy of Sciences
Michigan Science Teachers Association