Charles R. Granger, Ph.D.

Dr. Charles R. Granger is a professor of biology and education and Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor.  He has directed 18 programs in science education, 15 of which he created and originated on the UM-St. Louis campus.  He created the structure, guided the development and served as project director of the St. Louis Regional Science and Technology Career Access Center, a $3.8 million N.S.F. Career Access Opportunities Project that formed a consortium with St. Louis Public Schools, Harris-Stowe State College, St. Louis Community College, University of Missouri-Rolla, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis as partners.  This highly successful, five-year program served some 1,200 students, grades 3-12 year, forming a pipeline of talent, and enhancing minority presence in careers in science and technology.  He has created three major projects for the enhancement of science education in the St. Louis area and that could serve as models for national initiatives.  The Corner Science Store is a freestanding, private sector-based, satellite facility that incorporates a cascading, pyramidal instructional strategy to change pedagogy and curriculum in science and math of targeted school systems.  This project received the St. Louis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Construction Products Council Award for Excellence in Unbuilt Projects.  He led the N.S.F.-funded RECEPT consortium of six universities and six school systems to restructure math/science teacher preparation and school science and math instruction.  RECEPT would reach of 90% of the K-6 teachers educated in the St. Louis area.  With Monte C. Throdahl, the Regional Institute for Science Education was established as a partnership for increasing science literacy that involved collaboration between informal science education institutions, schools, higher education, and the private technical community to develop a concerted effort to improve science education in the St. Louis metropolitan area. 

He directed the Junior Science Programs at the University of Missouri including the Junior Science, Engineering and Humanities Symposium for 39 years.  He conceived and directed the George Engelmann Mathematics and Science Institute and Students and Teachers As Research Scientists (STARS) program for high ability, high school students that received the first National Anderson Medal for the Business-Higher Education Form and award for education partnerships.  The Engelmann Institute was also named as a “What Works” exemplary program by the St. Louis Metropolitan Association for Philanthropy and the St. Louis Business Journal.

Program Involvement

• BS Ed - Secondary Education (9-12) | Biology
• BS Ed - Secondary Education (9-12) | Chemistry
• BS Ed - Secondary Education (9-12) | Physics
• Cert MEd - Secondary Education (9-12) | Biology with Secondary Teacher Certification
• Cert MEd - Secondary Education (9-12) | Chemistry with Secondary Teacher Certification
• Cert MEd - Secondary Education (9-12) | Physics with Secondary Teacher Certification 
• EdD - STEAM THEMES Education Scholars

Published Research Areas

• Achievement  
• Assessment  
• Cognition  
• Constructivism  
• Critical Theory  
• Curriculum  
• Curriculum Design and Evaluation  
• Curriculum Policy and Reform  
• Education Theory  
• Evaluation  
• Gifted Education  
• High Schools  
• Instructional Design/Development  
• Instructional Practices  
• Instructional Technology  
• Metacognition
• Performance Assessment
• Philosophy
• Problem Solving
• Professional Development
• Program Evaluation
• School/Teacher Effectiveness
• Science Education
• Student Teaching
• Teaching and Learning Theory
• Test Theory/Development

Affiliations

• Math & Science Education Central
• CAS: Department of Biology
• Department of Educator Preparation and Leadership