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Jan Elizabeth DeWaters

DeWaters

Jan DeWaters

Associate Professor
Inst for STEM Education

Email: jdewater@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315/268-6577
Office: 120A CAMP Building
Mailbox: CU Box 5700

School(s): Coulter School of Engineering, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Institute for STEM Education
  • Teaching Interests
  • Research Interests
  • Awards
  • Publications
Education
Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. - 2011
Clarkson University
Environmental Engineering M.S. - 1987
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chemical Engineering B.S. - 1985
University of New Hampshire
Courses Taught
ES110 Engineering and Society
ES238 Introduction to Energy Systems
Teaching Interests

I am a member of the Teaching Faculty, with a co-appointment in the School of Engineering and the Institute for STEM Education. I also serve as a first-year advisor for Engineering Studies program. I teach engineering science courses that engage students in exploring engineering, technology, and energy issues.  My goal is to help students understand the complex relationships between the technological work of engineers and technical professionals, and the social and natural environments in which we work. With respect to energy, I hope to develop among students the broad perspective necessary to objectively evaluate positive and negative tradeoffs, in addition to understanding the technical details and implications, when evaluating options for transitioning into a sustainable energy future.

Research Interests

My research interests are focused in engineering education – developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-based learning practices in K-16 STEM education, environmental education, and energy education. I am interested in our ability to improve diversity in STEM studies and careers by exposing young people to the broad nature of engineering as it is contextualized in human and environmental systems. I have experience in project-based curriculum development focusing on environmental themes, specifically those that use real data in classroom projects. I also have expertise developing and implementing educational assessment strategies and tools to measure energy and climate literacy among a broad range of participants in various settings. 
To view current research projects, visit the links below. 

  • STEM-Up NY Noyce Scholarship Program
  • Food-to-Energy Project
     
Awards

Licenses:
Professional Engineer, state of North Carolina
Teacher Certification: Secondary Science, state of North Carolina

Recent Awards:
Recognition of Teaching Excellence, January 2018
ASEE First-Year Programs Division Best Paper – Finalist, 2017
Mara H. Wasburn Early Engineering Educator Grant, ASEE Women In Engineering Division, 2014
Phalanx Commendable Leadership Award, Clarkson University, 2014 & 2019
Premier Curriculum Award for K-12 Engineering, Engineering Pathway, “Energy Systems and Solutions,” 2009

 

Publications

Chiu, Mei-Shiu, and J.E. DeWaters (2018) Development and Validation of the Energy-Issue Attitude Questionnaire: Relations with energy knowledge, affect, and behavior. Journal of Advances in Education Research 3(1):25-37.  https://dx.doi.org/10.22606/jaer.2018.31003

DeWaters, J.E., J.C. Moosbrugger, and P. Sharma (2017) “Development and application of a questionnaire to measure student attitudes toward and understanding of engineering.”  In: Proceedings of the 124th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Columbus, OH, June 2017.

Schutz, C., Y. Gao, D. Hou, S. Powers, S. Grimberg, and J. DeWaters (2016) “A Time Series Data Transformation Engine for Non-Programmer End Users.”  In Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Big Data and Smart City, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, March 15-16, 2016.

DeWaters, J.E., J. Halfacre, J. Moosbrugger, E.  Chapman, and E. Wultsch (2015) “Enhancing the experience of first-year engineering students with an entry-level S-T-S course.”  In: Proceedings of the 45th ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, El Paso, TX, October 21-24, 2015.

Chapman, E.A., E.M. Wultsch, J.E. DeWaters, J.C. Moosbrugger, K.M. Buckle, P.R. Turner, M.W. Ramsdell, and R.P. Jaspersohn (2015) “Innovating Engineering Curriculum for First-Year Retention.”  In: Proceedings of the 122nd Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Seattle WA June 2015.

Powers, S.E., J. DeWaters, M.M. Small, S. Grimberg, and D. Hou (2015) “CLICS – Integrating Data from Campus Sustainability Projects across Disciplines.”  In: Proceedings of the 122nd Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Seattle WA June 2015.

DeWaters, J.E., J. Hougham, C. Hintz, and L. Frolich (2015) “Beyond Conservation:  Reimagining the purpose of energy education.”  Journal of Sustainability Education. Available online at http://www.jsedimensions.org/wordpress/content/beyond-conservation-reimagining-the-purpose-of-energy-education_2015_01/

DeWaters, J.E., C. Q Andersen, A. Calderwood, and S.E. Powers (2014) “Improving Climate Literacy with Project-Based Modules Rich in Educational Rigor and Relevance.” Journal of Geoscience Education, 62(3):469-484.

Southwell, B.G., J.J. Murphy, J.E. DeWaters, P.A. LeBaron, and J.F. Willoughby (2014) “Energy information sharing in social networks: The roles of objective knowledge and perceived understanding.” The Journal of Sustainability Education, June 2014.

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2013) “Establishing Measurement Criteria for an Energy Literacy Questionnaire.” The Journal of Environmental Education, 44(1): 38-55 (DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2012.711378).

DeWaters, J.E., B. Qaqish, M.E. Graham, and S.E. Powers (2013) “Designing an Energy Literacy Questionnaire for Middle and High School Youth.” The Journal of Environmental Education, 44(1): 56-78 (DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2012.682615).

DeWaters, J.E., E. Chapman, E. Wultsch, K. Buckle, and J.C. Moosbrugger (2013) “Engineering and Society: A Course for First-Year Engineering Students and Non-Majors.” Paper presented at the 5th Annual First Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, August 8-9, 2013. 

Powers, S.E., S. Dhaniyala, J.E. DeWaters, and M.M. Small (2013) “New project-based instructional modules improve climate literacy (research to practice).” In: Proceedings of the 120th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, GA, June 2013.

Moosbrugger, J.C., J.E. DeWaters, E. Chapman, and M. Richards (2012) “A Course on Engineering and Society for First-Year Engineering Students and Non-Majors.” In: Proceedings of the 119th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, TX, June 2012.

Southwell, B.G., J.J. Murphy, J.E. DeWaters, and P.A. LeBaron (2012) “American’s perceived and actual understanding of energy.” Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI Press. www.rti.org/rtipress.

Powers, S.E., J.E. DeWaters, and M.Z. Venczel (2011) “Teaching Lifecycle Perspectives – A Sustainable Transportation Fuels Unit for High School and Undergraduate Engineering Students.” ASCE J. Prof. Issues in Engrg. Educ. & Practice. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EI.1943-5541.0000059

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2011) “Energy Literacy of Secondary Students in New York State (USA): A Measure of Knowledge, Affect, and Behavior.” Energy Policy, 39(3): 1699-1710. 

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2011) “Improving Energy Literacy among Middle School Youth with Project-based Learning Pedagogies.” In Proceedings of the 41st ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Rapid City, SD, October 13-15, 2011, paper number 1424.

Powers, S.E., S. Dhaniyala, J.E. DeWaters, and M.M. Small (2011) “Teaching Climate Science and Policy to Engineering Students.” In: Proceedings of the 118th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Vancouver CA, June 2011.

Powers, S.E., B. Bridges, J.E. DeWaters, G. Gotham, M.M. Small, and P. Turner (2010) “K-12 Teacher Professional Development Effectively Offered by STEM Faculty from a Research University.” In: Proceedings of the 117th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Louisville KY, June 20-23, 2010 (paper number AC2010-177).

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2009) “WIP:  Energy Education and Energy Literacy: Potential Benefits of Reaching a High Level of Educational Rigor and Relevance.” In Proceedings of the 39th ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 18-21, 2009, paper number 1112.

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2009) “Using a Real-world, Project-based Energy Module to Improve Energy Literacy among High School Youth.”  In Proceedings of the 116th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Austin, TX, June 14-17, 2009, paper number AC 2009-231.

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2008) “Energy Literacy among Middle and High School Youth.”  In Proceedings of the 38th ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY, October 22-25, 2008, paper number 1077, Session 2F-6.

DeWaters, J.E., S.E. Powers, and M. Graham (2007) “Developing an Energy Literacy Scale.”  In Proceedings of the 114th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, HI, June 23-38, 2007, paper number AC 2007-1069.

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers, (2006) “WIP:  A Pilot Study to Assess the Impact of a Special Topics Energy Module on Improving Energy Literacy of High School Youth.”  In Proceedings of the 36th ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, San Diego, CA, October 28-31, 2006, paper number 1151, Session M1C-11.

DeWaters, J.E., and S.E. Powers (2006) “Improving Science Literacy Through Project-based K-12 Outreach Efforts that use Energy and Environmental Themes.”  In Proceedings of the 113th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Chicago, IL, June 18-21, 2006, paper number 2006-262.

DeWaters, J.E., S.E. Powers, and M. Graham (2006) “Partners in Engineering:  Outreach Efforts Provide Holistic Engineering Education for Middle School Girls.”  In Proceedings of the 113th Annual ASEE Conference & Exposition, Chicago, IL, June 18-21, 2006, paper number 2006-1471.

Powers, S.E., and J. DeWaters (2004) “Creating Project-Based Learning Experiences for University-K12 Partnerships.”  In Proceedings of the 34th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Savannah, GA, October 20-23 2004.

Powers, S.E., M. Graham, T. Schwob, and J. DeWaters (2003) “Diversity in K-12 Initiatives to Attract a Diverse Pool of Engineering Students.” In  Proceedings of the 33rd ASEE/IEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Boulder, CO, November 5-8, 2003.

Powers, S.E., and J.E. DeWaters (2001) “Introducing Environmental Problem Solving as a Means of Increasing Interest in Science and Engineering.”  American Chemical Society CONFCHEM conference (July 2001).  Presented and published on-line (http://www.ched-ccce.org/confchem/2001/b/index.html).
 

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