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John H. Falk

Submitted by simsk on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 1:45pm
John H. Falk
STEM
Professor and Interim Director of the Center for Research in Lifelong STEM Learning
Research Interests: 
  • The study of learning in free-choice learning settings (with particular focus on museums and eco-tourism venues)
  • Understanding the role of situated-identity in leisure/tourist decision-making and learning
  • Investigating how the public utilizes free-choice educationalinstitutions to support their long-term science learning
Education: 

Free-Choice Learning and Science Education

Biographical Info
Biography: 

Degrees

  • BA University of California, Berkeley 1970
  • MA University of California, Berkeley 1972
  • PhD University of California, Berkeley 1974
Recent Grants
  • NSF #DRL-0638981Informal Science Education Resource Center. 2007-2012. Co-PrincipalInvestigator.
  • The Noyce Foundaton Measuring the Impact of a Science Center onits Community. 2008-2010. Project Director
  • NSF #DRL-0813252 Towards the Next Generation of Research on STEMLearning. 2008-2010. Project Director
  • NSF#ESI- #0636124 The Role of Media in Supporting Free-Choice ScienceLearning. 2007-2008. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • Australian Research Council #DP0556543. Investigating the educationalimpact of wildlife-based leisure experiences in supporting visitors' adoptionof environmentally sustainable practices. 2005-2007; Co-Principal Investigator.
  • NSF #DRL-0637992 Portal to the Public. 2006-2009. Co-Principal Investigator.
  • NSF #DRL-0610253 Maya Skies. 2006-2009. Co-PrincipalInvestigator.
  • NSF #DRL-0638767 Sharing the Universe, 2007-2010. Co-Principal Investigator.
Recent Publications  
  • Falk,J.H. & Needham, M. (in press). Measuring the impact of a science center onits community. Journal of Research inScience Teaching.
  • Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (in press). Questioning theschool-first paradigm for public science literacy. American Scientist.
  • Falk, J.H. & Balling, J.D. (in press) Evolutionary influenceon human visual preference. Environmentand Behavior.
  • Falk, J.H. & Dierking, L.D. (in press). Lifelong sciencelearning for adults: The role of free-choice experiences. In K. Tobin (ed.). International Handbook of Science Education.
  • Falk, J.H. & Storksdieck, M. (2010).Science learning in aleisure setting. Journal of Research inScience Teaching, 47(2), 194-212.
  • Falk, J.H. (2009). Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience. Walnut Creek, CA: LeftCoast Press.
  • Falk, J.H., Heimlich, J.E., & Foutz,S. (eds.) (2009). Free-Choice Learningand the Environment. Lanham, MD:AltaMira Press.
  • Dierking, L.D. & Falk, J.H. (2009). Learning for life: Therole of free-choice learning in science education. In M. Wolf-Roth & K.Tobin (eds.). World of Science Education: North America, pp. 179-206. Rotterdam, NL: SensePublishing.