Rate My Professor Lauren Swanson

Lauren Swanson earned her B.S. in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University, a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biological Sciences from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She began her career in education teaching high school science in Los Angeles and providing professional development to fellow educators. Currently, she serves as Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Education and Child Development at Whittier College, where she specializes in STEM education, scientific literacy, and teacher education.

Swanson's research interests encompass science and math teacher training and professional development, student language and literacy development in science contexts, development of science curriculum modules emphasizing place-based education, interdisciplinary learning, and inquiry-based teaching methods. Her scholarly contributions include key publications such as 'Co-planning among science and special education teachers: How do different conceptual lenses help to make sense of the process?' published in 2015, 'A case study of English language learners and their science teacher in an urban high school' from 2014, 'Video of Children as Anchors in an Online Forum for Elementary School Teachers: A Tool for Positioning Oneself as Knowledgeable about Physics' in 2013, and 'Positioning Ideas: Creating and Relating Physics Identities Through Video Analysis' in 2009. She remains actively engaged with local K-12 schools through research collaborations, consulting, and outreach initiatives. Swanson leads the Science Circus Whittier Project, partnering with families and schools to ignite student interest and engagement in STEM by delivering high-quality, accessible learning opportunities in Whittier and nearby communities. Her work underscores a commitment to equitable access to rigorous and engaging STEM curricula for all students.