Christine McGrail

Science Methods in the Elementary Classroom

Dr. McGrail has two primary lines of research. One is centered on using multiple modalities in science assessment. Specifically, her work looks at how young children’s science concept development is instantiated in the non-verbal modalities of design artifacts, drawings, and gestures. One of the ideals of her research is non-verbal modalities, essential to more equitable assessment of children’s learning in science because they do not privilege dominant language, thereby affording more students access to success. The other line focuses on preservice teachers developing science identities and self-efficacy for teaching both science and engineering. More specifically, this work embraces a socioecological framework to engage preservice teachers in place-based science learning and community relevant engineering. 

Ph.D.

Math, Science, and Learning Technologies

University of Massacusetts Amherst