Associate Professor of STEM Education

Regina Toolin's research focuses on sociocultural models of teaching and learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teacher education. She is particularly interested in promoting and researching STEM classrooms that are grounded in the principles and practices of place-based and project-based teaching and learning. Her teaching interests include curriculum, instruction, assessment, diversity and place-based education.

Dr. Toolin is Principal Investigator (PI) of the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Scholarship Program and the GEAR UP Champlain Research Experience for Secondary Teachers (CREST), a co-PI for the National Science Foundation Collaborative Research Network Cluster: Using Big Data approaches to assess ecohydrological resilience across scales. (PI: J. Perdrial; Co-PIs: K. Underwood, R.Toolin, B. Lee, D. Rizzo), and Senior Personnel for the National Science Foundation. EPSCoR RII Track 2 FEC: Leveraging Intelligent Informatics and Smart Data for Improved Understanding of Northern Forest Ecosystem Resiliency (INSPIRES). (PIs: A. D’Amato (UVM), A. Weiskittel (UM), S. Ollinger (UNH).

She also serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Science Education and Technology and has published her research pertaining to STEM teaching and learning in The Science Teacher, Science Education, International Journal of Science Education, Journal of Science Education and Technology, Electronic Journal for Research in Science and Mathematics Education, Journal of Computational Science Education, International Journal of Social Policy and Education and the Journal of Geoscience Education.

Publications

Selected Publications (see attached CV for full listing)

Toolin, R., Dion, L., & Erickson, R. (2021). The Computer Science Education Collaborative: Promoting Computer Science Teacher Education Programs for Preservice and In-Service Teachers. Journal of Computational Science Education. 12(1): 2-7.

Toolin, R. & Meyers, H. (2020). An Analysis of Noyce Scholar Personal and Professional Self Efficacy. International Journal of Social Policy and Education. 2 (9): 17-24.

Toolin, R. & Blouin, M. (2020). Teachers Conceptions of Place-based Education: Place as Context and Object of Investigation. American Educational Research Association Interactive Presentation Gallery.

Toolin, R., Jorgenson, S., & Ratmeyer, S. (2020). STEM Touchstones as Unifying Principles for Teacher Professional Learning and Change. American Educational Research Association Interactive Presentation Gallery.

Toolin, R. (2020). Assessment for instruction: Noyce scholar use of student performance data. F1000Research 2020, 9:1322 (doi: 10.7490/f1000research.1118369.1).

Eisenhardt, S. M., Berlin L, Toolin, R., & Pintauro, S. J. (2015). Online college energy balance course improves determinants of behavior and student knowledge. Enliven: Journal Dietetics Research and Nutrition, 1(1), 1-9.

Downes, J. & Toolin, R. (2014). Partnering with students in middle grades teacher professional development. Middle Grades Collaborative Online Publication.

Toolin, R. & White, B. (2014). How loud is too loud? Project-based Inquiry as a Model for Teaching, Learning, and Assessing Science. In Preparing Excellent STEM Teachers for Urban and Rural High-Need Schools. Proceedings from the Midwest Noyce Regional Conferences. Indianapolis, IN.

L.-A. Dupigny-Giroux, Toolin, R., Morrissey, L., Fortney, M., Hogan, S., Pontius, J., Berryman, B. Shafer, J. Atkins, N., Shepherd, N., Mote, TL, & Raphael, MN. (2012). Enhancing climate change literacy by melding the atmospheric and geospatial sciences. American Geophysical Union. Abstract id. ED12B-05.

Toolin, R. & Watson, A. (2012). Students for sustainable energy: Inspiring students to tackle energy projects in their school and community. In S. Metz (Ed.), Fuel for thought: Building energy awareness in grades 9-12. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.

L.-A. Dupigny-Giroux, Toolin, R., Hogan, S. & Fortney, M. (2012). The satellites, weather and climate (SWAC) teacher professional development program: Making the case for climate and geospatial literacy. The Journal of Geoscience Education, 60, 133–146.

Toolin, R. & Watson, A. (2010). Students for sustainable energy: Inspiring students to tackle energy projects in their school and community. The Science Teacher, 77(4): 27-31.

Miller, F., Toolin, R., & Biral, R. (2010). Women of color and the formation of a science identity. In R. Johnson, & G. Harris (Eds.), Women of color in leadership: Taking their rightful place. San Diego, CA: Birkdale.

Toolin, R. & Watson, A. (2010). Conducting sustainable energy projects in secondary science classrooms. Science Activities, 47(2), 47-53.

Awards and Recognition

Vermont Association of Science and Engineering (VASE) - Honorary Member

National Science Foundation. Collaborative Research Network Cluster: Using Big Data approaches to assess ecohydrological resilience across scales. PI: J. Perdrial; Co-PIs: K. Underwood, R.Toolin, B. Lee, D. Rizzo Award Period: Sept. 2020 – Sept. 2025, Award: $3,416,989.00.

National Science Foundation. Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. Preparing STEM+CS Educators for Teaching in Rural High-Need Schools in Vermont. PI: R. Toolin; Co-PIs: R. Waterman, C. Petrick Smith, L. Dion Award Period: Sept. 2020 – Sept. 2025, Award: $1,199,976.00.

US Department of Education. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Champlain Research Experience for Secondary Teachers (CREST). PI: R. Toolin. Award Period: Oct. 2018 – Aug. 2022, Award: $495,000.00. Award Period: Sept. 2013 – Aug. 2018, Award: $934,000.00.

National Science Foundation. EPSCoR RII Track 2 FEC: Leveraging Intelligent Informatics and Smart Data for Improved Understanding of Northern Forest Ecosystem Resiliency (INSPIRES). PIs: A. D’Amato (UVM), A. Weiskittel (UM), S. Ollinger (UNH). Senior Personnel (Theme 4 Education and Outreach): R. Toolin Award Period: August 2019-July 2023, Award: $6,000,000.00.

National Science Foundation. University of Vermont Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. PI: R. Toolin, Co-PIs: R. Waterman, C. Petrick Smith, T.Tang. Award Period: Oct. 2015 – Oct. 2021, Award: $799,987.00.

US Department of Education. Math Science Partnership Program - Vermont STEM (VSTEM) Program. PI: R. Toolin, Co-PIs: D. Rizzo and S. Jorgenson. Award Period: July 2015 – July 2017, Award: $324,000.00.

National Science Foundation. Satellites, Weather and Climate Program (SWAC). PI: L-A Dupigny-Giroux Co-PI: R. Toolin. Award Period: Sept. 2010 – Sept. 2013, Award: $489,381.00. Award Period: June 2008 – June 2010, Award: $149,000.00.

US Department of Education. Math and Science Partnership Program - Vermont Secondary Science Partnership (VSSP). PI: R. Toolin Co-PIs: L-A Dupigny-Giroux and R. Waterman. Award Period: July 2010 – June 2011, Award: $74,943.00. Award Date: July 1 2009 – June 2010, Award: $75,000.00

National Science Foundation. University of Vermont Robert Noyce Scholarship Program. PI: R. Toolin Co-PIs: L-A Dupigny Giroux and R. Waterman. Award Period: Sept. 2009 – Aug. 2015, Award: $899,940.00.

University of Vermont STEM Education Research Grant. Computer Science Education Collaborative (CSEC) PIs: R. Toolin, R. Erickson; Co-PIs: A. Tinkler, L. Dion. Award Period: Jan. 2019 – Dec. 2019, Award: $30,000.00

University of Vermont CESS Research Grant. The Vermont STEM Education Initiative. PI: R. Toolin Award Period: Feb. 2013 – Dec. 2013, Award: $4,000.00. Award Date: Feb. 2014 – Dec. 2014, Award: $8,000.00

Associations and Affiliations

  • American Educational Research Association (AERA)
  • American Geological Union (AGU)
  • Association for Public Land Grant Universities/Science & Math Teacher Imperative (APLU/SMTI)
  • Association for Science Teacher Education, (ASTE)
  • Curriculum and Pedagogy (C&P)
  • Northeast Association for Science Teacher Education (NEASTE)
  • National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
  • Vermont Association of Science and Engineering (VASE)
  • Vermont Science Teachers Association (VSTA)
Regina Toolin

Areas of Expertise and/or Research

  • STEM Education
  • Environmental Education
  • Project-based learning
  • Place-based Education
  • Teacher Professional Learning
  • Computer Science Education

Education

  • Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Science Education - University of Wisconsin - Madison
  • M.A. in Science Education, Biology - City University of New York
  • B.A. in Physical Anthropology - State University of New York - Oneonta

CV

PDF icon Toolin.CV_.10.22.22.pdf

Contact

Email:

Regina.Toolin@uvm.edu

Phone:
  • 802-656-1024
Office Location:

409B Waterman

Website(s):
  1. Teachers Engage in Critical Zone Science Research About Lake Champlain Basin
  2. UVM Noyce Scholars Follow Their Passion to Teach STEM Disciplines
  3. Media Story: Studying the Earth's Critical Zone
  4. Media Story: Addressing the Computer Science Education Gap
  5. Media Story: Connecting Teachers with Real Science Research
  6. Media Story: Advancing Next Generation Science Standards
  7. Media Story: Climate Science Learning

Courses Taught

  • EDSC 209 Practicum in Teaching
  • EDSC 216 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
  • EDSC 227 Teaching Science in Secondary School
  • EDTE 061 Foundations of Place-based Education