Courses taught at GVSU:
BIO 104 Biology for the 21st Century
BIO 120 General Biology I
BIO 121 General Biology II
SCI 225 Integrated Life Science for K-8
SCI 336 Ecology for K-8 Pre-service Teachers

Research Interests:
As a biologist and science educator, I am committed to the systematic and purposeful improvement of the teaching and learning of science at all levels. I am specifically interested learning through inquiry, an approach called for by both the Michigan and National Science Education Standards. Through the Integrated Science Program at GVSU, I conduct teacher preparation and K-12 outreach in the greater Grand Rapids area and other school districts throughout West Michigan. I also mentor undergraduate preservice teachers in the development, presentation, and publication of inquiry-based science curricula.

Publications (*undergraduate student):
Frasco, M.* and C. Dobson. In press. Moss, beech trees, and stemflow: Integrated science. MSTA Journal.

Burton, S. and C. Dobson. 2009. Spork & beans: Addressing evolutionary misconceptions. The American Biology Teacher, 71(2):89-91.

Dobson, C. 2008. Critical Thinking Skills: Measuring Cognitive Development with Bloom's Taxonomy. Saarbrücken, Germany: VDM Verlag Publishing.

Wampler, L.* and C. Dobson. 2008. Helicopter seeds and hypotheses...that's funny! Science Scope, 32(1):72-74.

Dobson, C. 2008. Ecological field studies: Through field studies, students learn scientific process and ecological content. The Science Teacher, 75(2):40-43.

Capps, A.* and C. Dobson. 2007. Life science arcade addresses standards. MSTA Journal, 52(2):55.

Zeeff, C.*, A. Palazzolo*, and C. Dobson. 2007. Doing sophisticated science simply: Help students understand the nature and methods of science. Science Scope, 31(2):72-72.

Gauss, M.* and C. Dobson. 2006. The biodiversity box: Inquiry science at the elementary level. MSTA Journal, 51(2):31-32.

Dobson, C. 2006. Becoming a science educator. Focus on Microbiology Education, 12(3):12-13.

Dobson, C. 2005. Implications from a study on critical thinking. Focus on Microbiology Education, 12(1):2-5.

Swain, C.*, W. Mather*, D. Johnson*, and C. Dobson. 2003. Entomological Field Guide for Community College Open Space. Report produced for City of Westminster Open Space Program, Westminster, CO.

Dobson, C. 2002. The scholarship of teaching. Reprinted as a chapter in Career Advice for Life Scientists, ed. by Marincola, E., The American Society for Cell Biology.

Dobson, C. 2002. Biology 105 Laboratory Manual. Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO.

Cook, J.* and C. Dobson. 2001. Identifying Bacterial Fish Pathogens. Report produced for Colorado's Ocean Journey, Denver, CO.

Tumasonis, J.* and C. Dobson. 2001. Large Mammal Survey and Investigation of Culvert use in the Coal Creek Riparian Area. Report produced for City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, Boulder, CO.

Dobson, C. and R. Seeley. 2000. Using Bloom's Taxonomy to measure the development of critical thinking skills in anatomy and physiology. HAPS Educator: Human Anatomy & Physiology Society, 5(1):25-26.

Barbur, J., C. Dobson, and A. Morris. 1999. Testbank to Accompany Biological Perspectives: Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.

Dobson, C. 1999. The scholarship of teaching. American Association for Cell Biology Newsletter, 22(9):3-4.

Presentations (*undergraduate student):
Wampler, L.* and C. Dobson. 2009. Helicopter seeds and hypotheses...that's funny! Michigan Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Detroit, MI.

Gonsior, R.* and C. Dobson. 2009. What every non-science major should know about teaching science. Student Fire Up! Student Teacher Conference, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Postema, D.*, T. Klumpel*, and C. Dobson. 2008. Teach inquiry and ecology using pillbugs. Fall Science Update, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Dobson, C. 2008. Forest ecology in the classroom. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Memphis, TN.

Bennett, A.* and C. Dobson. 2007. Biodiversity invasion. Fall Science Update, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Arehart, S.*, S. Ruddy*, J. Swidorski*, and C. Dobson. 2007. Forest ecology in the classroom. National Science Teachers Association Northern/Midwestern Area Conference, Detroit, MI.

Dobson, C. 2007. The Biodiversity Box. National Science Teachers Association National Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Capps, A.* and C. Dobson. 2007. Life Science Video Arcade. Michigan Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Grand Rapids, MI.

Gauss, M.*, J. Green*, L. Neilson* J. Jones*, and C. Dobson. 2006. Teach ecology with the five E's. Fire Up! Student Teacher Conference, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Dobson, C. 2005. Implications of a study using Bloom's Taxonomy to measure critical thinking. National Science Teachers Association Midwestern Area Convention, Chicago, IL.

Dobson, C. and S. Burton. 2005. Spork and beans. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Milwaukee, WI.

Dobson, C. 2004. Assessing higher-level thinking using Bloom's Taxonomy. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Chicago, IL.

Dobson, C. 2004. Investigating ecology as a model for doing science. Michigan Science Teachers Association Annual Conference, Lansing, MI.

Seeley, R. and C. Dobson. 2000. Development of problem solving skills, diagnosis, and prescription of student study methods. Human Anatomy & Physiology Society National Conference, Charlotte, NC.

Belzer, S., C. Dobson, and S. Burton. 1999. Using an innovative model to help future high school and college biology teachers adopt a conceptual framework or scholarly approach to teaching. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Fort Worth, TX.

Posters (*undergraduate student):
Burton, S. and C. Dobson. 2008. Pairing independent research investigations and lesson plan development to help K-8 preservice teachers develop inquiry pedagogy. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Memphis, TN.

Dobson, C. and S. Burton. 2005. You can lead a horse to water...Assessing student study habits...Maybe it's time to salt the oats! FTLC Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Jacquot, J., C. Dobson, and S. Burton. 2004. Measuring student effort and motivation: Do you really know how much your students study? FTLC Fall Conference on Teaching and Learning. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI.

Gratson, J.* and C. Dobson. 2001. The time of AIDS. Wellness-Health Fair, Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO.

Dobson, C. and R. Seeley. 2000. Tracking student performance at lower and higher cognitive levels in an anatomy and physiology class. Human Anatomy & Physiology Society National Conference, Charlotte, NC.

Dobson, C., S. Burton, and S. Belzer. 1999. A perceived need to help future high school and college biology teachers adopt a conceptual framework or scholarly approach to teaching. National Association of Biology Teachers National Convention, Ft. Worth, TX.

Brandon, M. and C. Dobson. 1999. Developing a scientific competency through inquiry-based laboratores. Research Link 2000 Institute, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI.

Dobson, C. 1995. Structural and successional analysis of woodland vegetation in Tualatin Hills Nature Park. Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR.

Scientific and Professional Societies:
Michigan Science Teachers Association
National Association of Biology Teachers
National Science Teachers Association
Society for College Science Teachers