Katherine A. Sharp, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Education

Department of Biological Sciences

Biography

Dr. Katherine (Katie) Sharp joined the Departments of Education and Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2023. Prior to Missouri S&T, Dr. Sharp taught chemistry at Stephens College. Dr. Sharp’s research interests include using situated learning experiences, such as case studies, in biology and informal education to investigate how these learning approaches support students’ argument construction and depth of learning. Dr. Sharp’s active research collaborations focus on how situated learning experiences influence students’ scientific understanding, and she has been involved in research published in Education Sciences and the Journal of Appalachian Health. Additionally, Dr. Sharp has presented at national and international conferences including the American Educational Research Association, National Association of Research in Science Teaching, Experimental Biology, Association for Biology Laboratory Education, Association for Science Teacher Education, and European Science Education Research Association. Courses taught by Dr. Sharp include BIO SCI 1213 Principles of Biology, BIO SCI 3483 Biomedical Problems, EDUC 1164 Teacher Field Experience II, EDUC 3340 Assessment of Learning, and EDUC 5150 Teacher Leadership within Educational Systems.

Disciplines

Informal Education, Science Education, Biology Education, Undergraduate Education, Secondary Education, Case-based Learning, Problem-based Learning, Argumentation

Education

  • 2021 – Ph.D. in Education Sciences (STEM Education emphasis), University of Kentucky
  • 2018 – M.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma
  • 2015 – B.S. in Biology, Stephens College