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Dr. Alan Sowards

Abbreviated Vitae

Assistant Professor
Department of Elementary Education
asowards@sfasu.edu

Ed.D. Texas A&M University-Commerce,2000, Science Education
M. A.T. University of Texas at Dallas, 1980, Environmental Science
B.S. Stephen F. Austin State University, 1973, Biology

Refereed Publications

Sowards,A.B., and Boyette, C. (2004). Water Works: A Wetland Adventure of an Outdoor Environmental Education Experience. The Texas Science Journal, 33 (2), 8-12.

Sowards, A.B., and Boyette, C. (2003). Bugs, Butterflies and Blossoms. The Leaflet . Texas Association for Environmental Education. Seagoville, Texas.

Non-Refereed Publications

Sowards, A.B., and Boyette, C. (2002). Growing Minds: SFA Butterfly Gardening Project. Staples Printers. Nacogdoches, Texas.

Sowards, A.B. (1991). Bottom of the Barrel (Video) produced by 3-2-1 Contact. ChildrenÕs Television Workshop. Wings for Learning. Scotts Valley, California.

Sowards, A.B. (1986). Science: Energy Essential Elements (Grades K-6). Austex Printing. Austin, Texas.

Sowards, A.B. (1986). Science: Energy Essential Elements (Grades 7-12). Austex Printers. Austin, Texas.

Sowards, A.B. (1989). The Texas Economy. (Chapter 14, Oil and Natural Gas). Texas Council for Economic Education. South-Western Publication. Waco, Texas.

Presentations

2005 Project WILD International Coordinator's Conference, Double Tree Boise-Riverside, Boise, Idaho, June 7-112,2005. Concurrent Session to present research on field investigation study: Water Works - A Wetland Adventure (using Project WILD curriculum).

Presented the ?SFA NASA/NOVA research on Space Education? to the NASA/NOVA Conference in Greenbelt, Maryland; March 16-19, 2002.

Animal Adaptation, joint Project LIFE Workshop with Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas teachers, held in Shreveport, La.; April 9, 1999.

Teaching Environmental Science” Presentation at the Conference for the Advancement of Teaching Science, Houston, Texas; November 1, 2003.

“Butterfly Gardening” presentation at the Texas Association for Environmental Education (TAEE) fall conference in Hunt, Texas; October 10-12, 2003.

“Growing Minds” presentation at The Texas Environmental Education Partnership (TEEP) annual conference in San Antonio, Texas; September 12, 2002.

Presented “Growing Minds: Butterfly Gardening” –Part I and II for the Science and Math Conference at SFA, February, 26, 2000.

Presented “Growing Minds” Program for the Assoc. for the Education of Teachers in Science (AETS) Annual International meeting at Akron, Oh,Jan. 6-8, 2000.

“Plant the Seeds and They will Grow.” Presented at eh 1999 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), Lubbock, Texas; October 30, 1999.

Presented “School Garden Project” from “Growing Minds” program at the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST) held in Lubbock, Texas on October 28-30, 1999.

Presented two sessions: Elementary and Secondary Science Activities at the SFA Arboretum for the 1999 Center for Professional Development and Technology (CPDT) Conference at SFA, October 18, 1999.

“Growing Minds Butterfly Garden”. Presented at the 2nd Annual SFASU Science/Math Conference SFASU; March 6, 1999.

“Project LIFE-Texas Professional Development Program” Presented at 2nd Annual SFASU Science Math Conference, SFASU; March 6, 1999.

“Discover the Outdoors as a Science Lab. Use Nature’s Tools as a Teaching Tool”. Presented at the CPDT Conference, SFASU; October 18, 1999.

Get Out of the Classroom! Explore unique way to Utilize the Outdoors”. Presented at the CPDT Conference, SFASU; October15, 1999.

“Using the Environment as a Integrating Theme”. Presented at the CPDT Conference, SFASU; October 12, 1998.

Service Activities

Memember of the Steering Committee for the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Stephen F. Austin State University

Chair of Tenure and Promotion Committee, College of Education;

Served on the Elementary Education Scholarship Committee; Showcase Saturday; NSTA Initial SPA Report, Chair of Middle School Science; Chair of the Tenure Committee for Elementary Education.

SFA Charter School Parent Advisory Committee, Carpenter Elementary Advisory Committee;

Assist advising the largest number of Elementatry Education students at the University.

Thesis Committee:
Ms Julie Payne, Master of Science, Math Department (completed)
Ms Amy Glowacki, working on M.Sci. in Resource Interpretation, College of Forestry

Dissertation Committee:
Dr. Debbie Taylor, Ed. D, Secondary Education and Education Leadership (completed)
Ms Bonnie Brown, working on Ph.D, College of Forestry
Ms Terri Herbert, working on Ed.D, Secondary Education and Education Leadership
Mr. Logan Faris, working on Ed.D, Secondary Education and Education Leadership

Awards

College of Education Teaching Excellence Award 2005.

University Teaching Excellence Award 2005.

Sadie Ray Graff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Texas Environmental Award (Keep Texas Beautiful) 2004.

State Environmental Award (Texas Commission For Environmental Quality) 2002.

Civic Organization Community Forestry Award for Bugs, Butterflies and Blossom.

Education Program (awarded by the Texas Forest Service, Texas Urban Forest Council, Texas Chapter International Society of Arboriculture) 2005.

Elementary Education Departments Alumni Ambassador Award 2004 (Texas A & M University-Commerce).

Distinguished Alumni Award Texas A & M University-Commerce for Excellence in Leadership, Teaching, Research, and Service 2005.

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