Molina Walters

Biography
Molina Walters is a California native who joined the ASU Polytechnic education staff in August of 2004. She currently teaches elementary and secondary science method courses and environmental education courses. Walters is the program coordinator for the Environmental Education Program of Distinction Certificate and the developer of numerous science professional development opportunities. She is a Barrett Honors faculty mentoring honor students and overseeing their projects, and a Study Abroad program advisor leading a yearly study to Costa Rica focusing on Tropical Ecology, schooling and culture. Professor Walters also helps organize ASU Open Door activities and Engineering Day events in collaboration with Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. She supervises elementary and secondary students, runs Family Science/STEM Night events in East Valley schools, advises an educators Science Club and is an international consultant.
Professor Walters' main research interests are in the areas of STEM, problem-based learning & inquiry-based teaching, environmental education and best practices in professional development. She is the co-chair of the professional development and teaching group for the North America Association for Environmental Education. Professor Walters is the creator/lead teacher consultant for Teaching Inquiry-Based STEM Science, a professional development for educators. She has served as Project Learning Tree and Project Wild CDO-state coordinator, secretary for the Arizona Association for Environmental Education, and a BS council member on both the Audubon Education Committee and the AZventure Advisory Council for Arizona Foundation for Resources in Science Education. Professor Walters is collaborating with Salt River Project in identifying factors that contribute to best teaching practices for sustainable professor development. She works with a team to analyze survey responses from educators attending a four-day summer institute, Teaching Inquiry-Based STEM science. She is also researching the impacts of the Environmental Education Program of Distinction coursework on student awareness, attitudes, and actions.
Education
- Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, University of the Pacific 2004
- M.S. Counseling and Administrative Credential, Chapman University 1998
Research Interests
Guiding Research Questions:
- What are the factors that lead to best practices and sustainable professional development?
- How does being involved in EE coursework impact students attitudes, awareness and actions?
Current Research Projects:
- In collaboration with Salt River Project, Dr. Walters is interested in identifying factors that contribute to best teaching practices for sustainable professor development. Dr. Walters works with a team to analyze survey responses from educators attending a four day summer institute, Teaching Inquiry Based STEM Science. The follow up data concentrates on the implementation of institute learning outcomes and resources implemented within the school year.
- Dr. Walters is researching the impacts of the Environmental Education Program of Distinction coursework on student awareness, attitudes and actions. The instructors of the EE courses are reviewing survey responses from students to identify these changes and the impacts of the EE coursework.
Research Activity
- Walters,Debra Molina*. The Ecology and History of the Sonoran Desert. AZ GAME & FISH, DEPT OF(5/21/2015 - 5/20/2018).
- Kazilek,Charles Joseph*, Coulombe,Margaret Garrett, Walters,Debra Molina. Ask A Biologist - Answering Questions and Developing Content for a Community-based Web Generation. NSF-EHR-DUE(1/1/2009 - 12/31/2010).
- Walters,Debra Molina*. TRIF PROJECT: Science Education That Makes a Difference through Inspired Teacher Leaders. UNIV OF AZ(9/15/2008 - 6/30/2009).
Courses
Spring 2021 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 201 | Discovering Deserts of the SW |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 310 | Biodiversity Conserv:Education |
TEL 493 | Honors Thesis |
SCN 507 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 508 | Urban Environmental Education |
Fall 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 310 | Biodiversity Conserv:Education |
SCN 507 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
Summer 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 307 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 308 | Urban Environmental Education |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 507 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
Spring 2020 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Environmental Education |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 501 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 502 | Outdoor Education |
SCN 507 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 598 | Special Topics |
Fall 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 208 | Intro Urban&Environmental Stu |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Environmental Education |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
Summer 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SED 520 | Sci Mthds Early Adolescence |
Spring 2019 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Environmental Education |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 507 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 508 | Urban Environmental Education |
Fall 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Environmental Education |
SCN 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
Spring 2018 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Outdoor Education |
SCN 303 | Environmental Ed Internship |
EED 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
USL 410 | SrvcLrning:DiverseCommtyIssues |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 598 | Special Topics |
Fall 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Outdoor Education |
SCN 307 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
EED 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 509 | Environmental Education Prjct |
Summer 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 411 | Science in Elementary Schools |
Spring 2017 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 209 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 304 | Sonoran Desert Flora: The Life |
SCN 307 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
EED 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 411 | Science in Elementary Schools |
Fall 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
LIA 194 | Special Topics |
SCN 301 | Ecol & Nat Hist Sonoran Desert |
SCN 302 | Outdoor Education |
EED 309 | Environmental Education Prjct |
SCN 411 | Science in Elementary Schools |
SCN 494 | Special Topics |
Summer 2016 | |
---|---|
Course Number | Course Title |
SCN 294 | Special Topics |
SCN 305 | Trpcl Ecosystems of Costa Rica |
SCN 307 | Lrnng frm Ntre: Biomcry & STEM |
SCN 598 | Special Topics |