J. Adam Scribner

J. Adam Scribner, EdD, bridges theory to practice to develop transformative STEM teaching and learning experiences designed to foster the next generation of scientists, engineers, creators, and innovators. In his current role, over the past nine years, he has served as principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on 45 grant funded projects totaling more than $5.4 million. These projects have addressed a wide range of emerging and interdisciplinary STEM topics including artificial intelligence, cancer research, underwater robotics, and climate engineering and have included international collaborations in Ankara, Bangkok, Berlin, and the Galápagos Islands.

Scribner currently serves as principal investigator of: (1) Educating for Environmental Change, a project that helps educators teach the science and policy of climate change; (2) the Initiative for Mentoring, Professional Advancement and Career Tenure (IMPACT), an AmeriCorps project that places IU undergraduate and graduate students in informal learning environments to facilitate STEM education programs; (3) Synergy in Science: Bridging Classrooms and Laboratories, a project that partners IU scientists and high school science teachers to co-design STEM lessons. In addition, Scribner serves as key personnel on the Medical Research Education Project in partnership with the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Scribner’s previous projects include serving as co-principal investigator of PrimaryAI, a National Science Foundation (NSF) project aimed at teaching students about artificial intelligence through problem-based science lessons (NSF grant number 1934128). He also helped to develop a curriculum for middle and high school students to design, build, and program underwater robots (NSF grant number 0929674) and provided professional development and coaching for science teachers to improve their physical science content and pedagogical knowledge (NSF grant number 0962772). Other previous projects include ISTEAM, Integrating Art into STEM, a project that brought together art and STEM teachers to explore connections and engage students in creative pursuits, and the Simtra Online STEM Student Challenges, a program that tasked high school students with solving Simtra Biopharma Solutions' most vexing challenges.

Scribner instructs Introduction to Scientific Inquiry (Q200), Science Education Methodologies (E328), and Advanced Studies in Environmental Education (Q540). He has presented at numerous regional, national, and international conferences including ASEE, NSTA, ITEEA, and the US State Department’s Global Teaching Dialogue, and he currently serves as President for the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. (HASTI). Before joining IU, Scribner was the Manager of STEM Outreach for the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) at Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ). A certified biology teacher, he taught in Philadelphia, PA and Montclair, NJ for thirteen years prior to joining CIESE.