Education and teaching positions

• 8/17 – present         Full Professor; CSU-Sacramento (Chemical education)

• 8/07 – 7/17              Associate Professor; CSU-Sacramento (Chemical education)

• 8/02 – 7/07              Assistant Professor; CSU-Sacramento (Chemical education)

• 8/99 – 7/02              Assistant Professor; University of Central Florida (Chemical education)

• 8/97 – 7/99              Lecturer; CalPoly-San Luis Obispo (Chemical education)

• 6/98 – 8/98              NSF Fellow; University of Georgia (Solid state chemistry)

• 8/95 – 7/97              Clark Scholar; San Jose State University (Chemical education)

• 1995                        Ph.D.; North Carolina State University (Theoretical chemistry)

• 9/93 – 4/94              Visiting scientist; Albert Ludwigs University, Germany (Solid state chemistry)

• 1991                        M.A.; University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Inorganic chemistry)

• 1989                        B.S.; Holy Cross College (Analytical chemistry)

Publications

• “Development and Impact of a Training Program for Undergraduate Facilitators of Peer-Assisted Learning”; J. Paradis, J. Lundmark, L. Tashiro; J. College Sci. Teach. Summer 2017.

• “Explorations in Conceptual Chemistry: A Student Activity Manual”; J. Paradis; Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, 2007.

• “Hands on Chemistry: A General Chemistry Laboratory Manual”; J. Paradis, K. Spotz; McGraw-Hill, New York, 2006.

• “Developing a Laboratory Model for the Professional Preparation of Future Science Teachers: A Situated Cognition Perspective” A. Sweeney, J. Paradis; Res. Sci. Ed. 2004, 34, 195.

• “Addressing the Professional Preparation of Future Science Teachers to Teach Hands-on Science: A Pilot Study of a Laboratory Model” A. Sweeney, J. Paradis; J. Chem. Ed. 2003, 80, 171.

• “An Integrated Lecture-Laboratory Environment for General Chemistry” C. Bailey, K. Kulinowski, K. Kingsbury, J. Paradis, R. Schoonover J. Chem. Ed. 2000, 77, 195.

• Ph.D. dissertation: “The Application of Extended Huckel Tight Binding Electronic Band Structure Method to Several Low Dimensional Materials” under M.-H. Whangbo, North Carolina State University, 1995.

• "Alpha- and Beta-La4Ti9Si4O30: Synthesis and Structure of the Second Member (m = 2) of Novel Layered Oxosilicates Containing (110) Rutile Sheets. Electrical Property and Band Structure Characterization of the Mixed-Valence Titanium(III/IV) Oxosilicate Series, La4Ti(Si2O7)2(TiO2)4m (m = 1, 2)" S. Wang, S.-J. Hwu, J. Paradis and M.-H. Whangbo J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 5515.

• "20 K crystal structure, electrical transport, electronic band structure, scanning tunnelling microscopy and pressure–RF impedance studies on the organic conducting salt -(BEDT–TSF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br" T. Burgin, T. Miebach, J. C. Huffman, L. K. Montgomery, J. A. Paradis, C. Rovira, M -H. Whangbo, S. N. Magonov, S. I. Khan, C. E. Strouse, D. L. Overmyer, J. E. Schirber, J. Mater. Chem., 1995, (10),1659-1669.

• S. Kahlich, D. Schweitzer, C. Rovira, V, J. Paradis, M.-H. Whangbo, I. Heinen, H. Keller, B. Nuber, P. Bele, H. Brunner and R. Shibaeva, Z. Phys. B 1994, 94, 39.

• S. Magonov, G. Bar, H. Cantow, J. Paradis, J. Ren and M.-H. Whangbo, Synth. Met.  1994, 62, 83.

• "Electronic structures of tungsten-chalcogen multiple bonds" J. Paradis, D. Wertz and H. Thorp, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 17,525.

• "Scanning tunneling and atomic microscopy images of organic salt conductor (BEDT-TTF)2TlHg(SCN)4" S. Magonov, G. Bar, H.-J. Cantow, J. Paradis, M.-H. Whangbo and E. Yagubskii, J. Phys. Chem. 1993, 97, 9170.

• J. Paradis, M.-H. Whangbo and R. Kasowski, New J. Chem. 1993, 17, 525.

• Masters Thesis: “The Ab Initio Calculation and Transition Metal Systems” under C. Schauer, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1991.

Research interests

• My current research involves looking at best practices for teaching chemistry to pre-service K-6 teachers.  My approach is based on research in cognitive science including development and use of models and their representations, learning cycles, Piaget and constructivism, Viagotsky and collaborative learning as well as current understanding concerning misconceptions, experts versus novices, concept maps and study skills.  I explore both non-traditional teaching and assessment methods to create student-centered curriculum (see Book and Publication List).  My research students are applying similar methodologies to development of a physical science course, a preparatory chemistry course, and K-8 materials for English language learners. Typically, my graduate students are looking at careers in high school and community college teaching.

Graduate students in chemical education

• Dina Luetgens, current graduate student:Spiraling Model-Based Reasoning to Construct Coherent Enduring Conceptual Understanding of Chemistry at the High School Level.

• Kristy Minnick, current graduate student: Alignment of a College-level Conceptual Chemistry Course for Pre-service K-8 Teachers with the Next Generation Science Standards.

• Nyesa Enakaya "Exploring the Affective Domain: Developing and Assessing Materials Aimed at Increasing Student Engagement in a Preparatory Chemistry Class" defended thesis: 7/6/17.

• Stuart Hay "An Action Research Study Using Student Response Systems in an Introductory Chemistry Course at CSU Sacramento" defended thesis: 8/8/12.

• David Swanson "Improving the Understanding of Chemical Equilibrium in Second Semester General Chemistry Students" defended thesis: 6/28/11.

• Alicia Sullivan "The Use of Math Worksheets to Improve Student Learning in Preparatory Chemistry" defended thesis: 6/16/11.

• Michael Grady "Development of Scientific Literacy by Incorporating Directed Activities Related to Text in a College-level Conceptual Chemistry Course" defended thesis: 6/18/09.

• Michael Payne "An Extensive Revision of the CSU Sacramento Preparatory Chemistry Course Based upon an In-Depth Literature Review and Practical Experience" defended thesis: 12/10/08.

• Tara Martinez "Development of a Science Activity Covering Solids, Liquids, and Gases for Classes of Mixed English Proficiency" defended thesis: 12/07/07.

Recent presentations

• “Improving student persistence and achievement using a Commit to Study contract” CSUS education conference; SJSU; Fall 2016.

• “Growth Mindset: What it is, why it’s important and what you can do to help your students develop it” CSUS CTL Teaching Institute and ATCS Showcase, Summer 2016.

• “Aligning High School chemistry teaching with the Next Generation Science Standards” A 2-hour workshop for high school teachers organized through the Science in the River City program; Spring 2016.

• "Improving student persistence and achievement using a Commit to Study contract", CSU Symposium on University Teaching, CA State LA, March 13-14, 2015.

• “Case Studies as a Mechanism for Improving High School Science Instruction”, American Educational Research Association, New York; March 24, 2008.

• “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” California State University Sacramento, Department of Biological Science; December 1, 2006.

• “Using Backwards Design to Revitalize Curriculum Development and Improve Student Understanding” Community College Chemistry Conference, California State University Chico; October 28, 2006.

•  “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” California State University Chico, Chemistry Department Seminar; October 27, 2006.

•  “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” California State University Los Angeles, Chemistry Department Seminar; October 17, 2006.

•  “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” San Jose State University, Chemistry Department Seminar; October 10, 2006.

• “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” San Francisco State University, Chemistry Department Seminar; September 29, 2006.

• “Chemistry rethought: Preparing Pre-service K-8 Teachers to Teach Science” American Chemical Society National Meeting; San Francisco, CA; September 10-14, 2006.

• “Bridging the Macroscopic, Sub-microscopic and Symbolic:  Hands on Activities to Help Students Learn Chemistry” Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Purdue, IN; July 30- August 3, 2006.

• “An Integrated Lecture and Laboratory Approach to Teaching Science to Pre-Service Teachers” Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Purdue, IN; July 30- August 3, 2006.

• “Data Driven Learning as the Basis for Guided Inquiry” Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Purdue, IN; July 30- August 3, 2006.

• “Chemistry rethought: Preparing Pre-service K-8 Teachers to Teach Science” American Chemical Society symposium on Chemistry for Pre-service K-8 Teachers; Washington, DC; July 14-16, 2006.

• “Water in Our Community: Using Case Studies to Teach Science” Northern California Science Education Symposium; Davis, CA; May 19, 2006.

• “The Science Classroom in the 21st Century: Using Guided Inquiry to Engage and Educate”  California State University Science Education Colloquium; California Polytechnic University, Pomona; May 5- 6, 2006.

•  “Science Teaching Reconsidered: The Chemistry Classroom in the 21st Century” California State University Sacramento, Chemistry Department Seminar; April 28, 2006.

• “Water in Our Community Lives:  A Case Study Approach to Science Teacher Development” National Association for Research in Science Teaching National Meeting; San Francisco; April 4, 2006.

• “Chemistry rethought: Preparing Pre-service K-8 Teachers to Teach Science” American Chemical Society National Meeting; Atlanta, GA; March 25-29, 2006.

• “Using standards-based, social justice case studies as a vehicle for learning, understanding, and communicating science concepts for both English only and English Language Learners at all grade levels” California Association of Bilingual Education;  San Jose, CA; March 3, 2006.

Professional memberships

• American Educational Research Association; since spring 2008.

• California Association for Bilingual Education; since spring 2006.

• California Science Teachers Association; since spring 2005.

• National Science Teachers Association; since spring 2002.

• National Association for Research in Science Teaching; since summer 2001.

• American Chemical Society; since spring 1992.

Last updated: 08/27/2017