Lauren Madden, a professor specializing in elementary science education at The College of New Jersey, has been named a Sound Science Fellow by the National Center for Science Education. She is one of six scholars across the country selected for this fellowship, which aims to advance accurate and evidence-based science instruction in K-12 schools.
“I’m incredibly proud of this honor and grateful to partake in the organization’s good work,” Madden said.
Madden’s recent work has focused on climate change education for K–12 students. Over the past five years, she has helped current and future teachers implement comprehensive climate change learning standards in New Jersey and beyond. Together with 24 master teacher fellows, Madden is developing programs to engage students in scientific literacy through activities such as school gardening projects, food waste reduction efforts, and advocacy for improved electronic recycling policies.
“As an elementary science educator my key role is to inspire current and future teachers to engage in meaningful science learning. This fellowship enhances my ability to do just that,” she said.
Madden notes that navigating scientific conversations has become more challenging due to online misinformation. One goal of the NSCE fellowship is to ensure young children learn science based on reliable data.
“Helping teachers and students alike to collect data, identify credible sources, and use reasoning to grapple with ideas has to stay at the forefront of all science teaching,” Madden said.
She also highlights the importance of families and communities in fostering curiosity about science among children. “Let kids wonder, wander, and explore what they see,” she said.
Madden encourages parents to use everyday moments—such as noticing a worm on the sidewalk or observing moon phases—to spark interest in science. She suggests simple approaches like saying “let’s find out together” and using resources from libraries or the internet can turn curiosity into investigation.
“Saying simple things like ‘let’s find out together’ and using library or internet resources can move these everyday observations and wonderings from noticing to investigating.”
Madden remains committed to improving scientific education standards and accuracy. Having relied on NSCE resources herself, she looks forward to contributing more broadly to national discussions on climate change education.
“Helping children to keep their sights on what’s happening at the edges of human creativity right now can help them to imagine the kinds of solutions that they’re capable of building for the future,” she said.
The College of New Jersey was established in 1855 as a public institution dedicated to education. Its campus is located in Ewing Township, New Jersey, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across eight schools including arts, business, engineering, sciences, among others (official website, official website). The college emphasizes developing critical thinkers and leaders through its academic offerings (official website).
