About the Author

Dr. Thomas O' Brien's 33 years in science education began in K- 12 schools, where he taught general, environmental, and physical sciences and high school chemistry. For the past 23 years, he has directed the preservice and inservice graduate-level science teacher- education programs of the School of Education at Binghamton University (State University of New York [SUNY]). His master' s-level courses include Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Science Teaching, Curriculum and Teaching in Science, and Elementary Science Content and Methods. He also supervises the student teaching practica. In addition, he teaches a cross-listed doctoral/postmaster's educational leadership course. Concurrent with and subsequent to earning a master's degree and doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction/Science Education at the University of Maryland- College Park, Dr. O' Brien served as a curriculum development specialist and Teacher's Guide editor on the first edition of the American Chemical Society's Chemistry in the Community (1988) textbook and as the coauthor of the New York Science, Technology & Society Education Project Teacher Guide (1996). As a science teacher professional development specialist, he has cotaught more than 25 summer institutes, including national programs of the Institute for Chemical Education and state and regional programs funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the New York State Education Department, among others. He has received awards for excellence in teaching and/or service from the American Chemical Society (for National Chemistry Week programs), the New York State Association of Teacher Educators, the SUNY chancellor, and the New York State Science Education Leadership Association. These grants and awards are a reflection of collaborations with university-based colleagues and what he has learned with and from the large number of K- 12 teachers he has had the privilege to serve. The Brain-Powered Science book series owes a debt of gratitude to these friends and funding agencies for the insights and opportunities they offered the author.