Dr. Patricia M. Patterson

CONTACT INFO:

E-mail: Patricia.Patterson@mtsu.edu
Phone: (615) 898-5085
Office: Wiser Patten Science 119
P.O. Box : 68

EDUCATION/INTERESTS:

(1998) B.S., Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA; M.S.E. and Ph.D., Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Industrial experience with ComAlloy International Corp, GE Plastics, Dow Chemical and Union Carbide Corp. I have taught PSCI 4030/5030, PSCI 4080, PSCI 5080, PSCI 6020, PSCI 1030, CHEM 7710 and CHEM 1110 (lab). My scholarly interests focus on developing Outreach/Resource programs that allow me to work with teachers and students in their environments, doing "hands-on"; inquiry-based activities to better understand physical science concepts. I also seek funding that enables me to be a resource to K-12 science teachers in middle Tennessee. I enjoy walking, gardening, tennis and spending time with my husband Dwight and children Thierrie and DJ.

RECOGNITIONS:

• Recipient of the 2005 John Pleas Faculty Award
• Recipient of the Ebony Achievement Award, April 2005
• Finalist for the 2004 Higher Education Science Educator of the Year for Tennessee
• MTSU Outstanding Teacher Award, 2001-2002
• Nominated for the MTSU Public Service Award, 2004-2005, 2003-2004, 2002-2003, 2000-2002 & 1999-2000
• Nominated for the Tennessee Higher Education's Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award, March 2000

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS:

Patterson, P.M., Crawford, J., Tinnel, S., and Hutzler, T., "Just the Beginning-MTSU National Science Teachers Association Student Chapter', National Science Teacher Association Conference, April 1, 2005

Patterson, P.M., Stanislawski, D.A. and Dye, J., "Science Olympiad";, Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference, November 20, 2004

Patterson, P.M., "Preparing Middle School Students for High School Chemistry";, Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference, November 14, 2003

Patterson, P.M. and Stanislawski, D.A., "A History and Overview of Science Olympiad";, Tennessee Academy of Science Conference, November 14, 2003

Patterson, P.M. and Gerges, M.G., "Building Science Learning Communities Through Partnerships", Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference, Nashville, TN, November 22, 2002

Patterson, P.M., "Making the Connection Between the Classroom and the Real World", Pathways to Change: An International Conference on Transforming Math and Science in the K16 Continuum, Arlington, VA, April 20, 2002

Patterson, P.M., "A Physical Science Content Course for Pre-Service K-8 Teachers", Lilly Conference on College Teaching, Miami University, Oxford, OH, November 18, 2001

Patterson, P.M., "Science to You (It's Not Just Another Science Outreach Program for Middle Tennessee Teachers K-8)", Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference, Nashville, TN, December 1, 2000

Patterson, P.M., "Mathematics in the Science Olympiad," Middle Tennessee Math Teachers Conference, Belmont University, Nashville, TN, September 23, 2000

Patterson, P.M., "Hands-On/Minds-On Physical Science Activities for Present and Future Teachers K-8," Tennessee Science Teachers Association Conference, Nashville, TN, November 19, 1999

GRANTS:

Patterson, P.M., Phelps, A.J. and Gilbert, L.A., "Highly Qualified and Beyond: A Focus on Chemistry,"; Tennessee Higher Education Commission Improving Teacher Quality Grant, 2005, $63,429

Patterson, P.M., "Science Olympiad Scholarships for Schools at the MTSU Regional Competition";, State Farm Insurance, 2001-2005, $10,750

Patterson, P.M., "Second Annual Science Olympiad Coaches Workshop";, MTSU Public Service Grant, May 5, 2004, $500

Patterson, P.M., "First Annual Science Olympiad Coaches Workshop";, Tennessee Math, Science and Technology Education Center Grant, September 1, 2003, $500

Patterson, P.M., Parker, B.C., Gerges, M.G., Smith-Walters, C. and Sadler, K.C., "A Teacher Enhancement Partnership for Maury, Lewis and Williamson County Middle School Science Teachers," Tennessee Higher Education Commission Eisenhower Professional Development Grant, 2001-2002, $40,500

Patterson, P.M. and Parker, B.C., "A Teacher Enhancement Partnership for Rutherford County Middle School Science Teachers," Tennessee Higher Education Commission Eisenhower Professional Development Grant, 2000-2001, $35,372

Patterson, P.M., "Community Tutorial and Enrichment Outreach," Public Service Grant MTSU, February 8, 2001, $1,500

SELECTED PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES:

• NSF Undergraduate Research Center Review Panel Member, May 2005
• Tennessee Science Olympiad Board of Directors charter member August 2002 and secretary/treasurer 2002-2003
• Science Olympiad Regional Director 2001-present
• Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics Advisory Board 1999-present
• Science to You Outreach
• Hands On Science Center, Tullahoma, TN Board of Directors and Board of Advisors