Gary Holliday
Mathematics and Science Education Doctoral CandidateAccording to Gary Holliday, a science educator with nearly 15 years of experience, it was an opportunity he could not turn down. Not long after receiving a master’s degree in science education, Holliday left his position as science educator/coordinator of outreach services at the New York Aquarium for the chance to pursue doctoral study in the IIT Department of Mathematics and Science Education (MSED) under Norman Lederman, chair and professor, and Judith Lederman, director of teacher education. The Ledermans met with Holliday and told him of their innovative program. “I was interested in MSED because of the work they do with teachers in terms of professional development and thought the same should happen with museum educators,” says Holliday. “Having been an educator for so long, I felt that this was an area that was lacking.”
Presenting the paper “Changes in Biology Teachers’ Attitudes and Behavior Toward Informal Learning Sites: an Urban Case Study” with Judith Lederman at an international science education conference in Malmö, Sweden, has been a program high point for Holliday, who notes that MSED is successfully preparing him for doing research. “Not only am I learning about how to do the research,” says Holliday, “but the opportunities for research are tremendous.” Whether he pursues a career in research, academia, or administration upon graduation, the Bethesda, Maryland, native believes that many opportunities await. “Whatever I end up doing, I feel that the Ledermans and MSED have opened many, many doors for me. It’s really exciting.”