UC Spark

Dr Chris Astall

School of Teacher Education

Fields of Research

  • Exploring professional development approaches to Primary Science Education
  • ICT in teaching and learning
  • Pre-service teachers' models of teaching and learning science
  • Teacher Education

Researcher Summary

1. Developing sustainable approaches to Science professional development within Primary Schools
2. Use and development of Web2.0 technologies in pre-service education
3. Exploring attitudes and outcomes in the teaching and learning of Primary Science with pre-service teachers
4. Science Postcards Project – encouraging the development of Nature of Science through children’s literature (www.sciencepostcards.com)

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Affiliations

Prizes and Awards

  • Royal Society/BAAS Millennium Award and Fellowship (UK) (1999)

Research Service

  • Invited by TRCC as member of planning committee for National Science Conference (2013) (2012-2013)
  • PhD supervision of Kofi Owusu - Assistant Supervisor. "Pedagogical considerations for Utilising Digital Media in Science Classrooms" (2011-present)
  • National Coordinator for New Zealand Association of Primary Science Educators (NZAPSE) (2010-present)

Publications


  • Astall, C. (2013) Conversations Around NoS to Engage Teachers. Lincoln, Canterbury, NZ: TRCC Primary Science Conference, 22-23 April, 2013. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. (2013) Creating Chapmions: A Principal's Role in Strengthening Primary Science. Lincoln, Canterbury, NZ: TRCC Primary Science Conference, 22-23 April, 2013. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2013) Science Learning: Exploring skills, attitudes and creativity through authentic contexts. Christchurch, NZ: Think Forward 2013: Primary & Intermediate Educators Conference, 2 - 3 May 2013. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Davis, N., Dabner, N., Mackey, J., Walker, L., Hunt, A.M., Breeze, D., Morrow, D., Astall, C. and Cowan, J. (2011) Converging Offerings of Teacher Education in Times of Austerity: Transforming Spaces, Places and Roles. Nashville, TN, USA: 22nd Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 7-11 Mar 2011. In SITE 2011(1) 224-229. http://www.editlib.org/p/36263. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Cowan, J., Astall, C., Walker, L. and Mardle, D. (2011) Experiencing collaborative learning; authentic wiki use with pre-service teachers. Nashville, TN, USA: 22nd Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 7-11 Mar 2011. In SITE 2011(1) 380-385. http://www.editlib.org/p/36290. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Astall, C. and Astall, L. (2011) Harry Potter: science and spells. New Zealand Science Teacher 126: 41-42. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Astall, C. (2011) iPodTouch and Science Teaching. New Zealand Science Teacher(127): 40. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Astall, C. (2011) The nature of science in action. New Zealand Science Teacher(126): 43-42. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2010) "Can we do that again?" - Engaging Learners and Developing the 'Wow' Factor in Science. Nelson, New Zealand: SciCon, 4-7 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2010) A practical approach to delivering the Nature of Science strand in the classroom and the laboratory. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: CSTA - UC Science Outreach HOD Day, 24 Nov 2010. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2010) 'Can we do That Again?' Engaging Learners and Developing Beyond the 'Wow' Factor in Science. Science Education Review 9(2): 63-69. (Journal Article)
  • Winter, D., Astall, C. and Conner, L. (2010) Exploring Changing Attitudes And Achievement In Science Through The Integration Of A Novel Multimedia Resource. Port Stephens, Australia: Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA) 2010 Conference, 30 Jun-3 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Astall, C. and Conner, L. (2010) Making Science Real: Exploring the Integration of a Novel Multimedia Resource. San Diego, CA, USA: 21st Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 29 Mar-2 Apr 2010. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 1310-1315. http://www.editlib.org/p/33538. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Conner, L., Astall, C. and Winter, D. (2010) Science Teaching in Context: Experiences of Using an Innovative, Web Based Multimedia Resource. Nelson, New Zealand: SciCon, 4-7 Jul 2010. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Astall, C., Cowan, J. and Clelland, T. (2010) WikiEd! New experiences of social learning tools within a pre-service teaching environment. Christchurch, New Zealand: Ulearn 10, 6-8 Oct 2010. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Astall, C., Cowan, J. and Clelland, T. (2010) WikiED! New experiences of social learning tools within a pre-service teaching environment. San Diego, CA, USA: 21st Annual Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference, 29 Mar-2 Apr 2010. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2010 1316-1321. http://www.editlib.org/p/33539. (Conference Contribution - Paper in published proceedings)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2009) Introducing Steve Spangler. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 14-15 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2009) Introducing Steve Spangler Science. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 16-17 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Anderson, D., Heap, R., Trevethan, H. and Astall, C. (2009) Postcards in Science Project and the Nature of Science Strand: Assisting Primary Teachers to Engage their Students in Science? University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 8th Science Education Research Symposium, 19-20 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2009) Science Postcards. Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 14-15 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2009) Science Postcards. Christchurch, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 16-17 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2009) Science Postcards. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 20-21 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2009) Science Postcards. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 23-24 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Other)
  • Astall, C. and Bruce, W. (2009) Science postcards. New Zealand Science Teacher 120: 44. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2009) Steve Spangler Science. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 20-21 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2009) Steve Spangler Science. Auckland, New Zealand: New Zealand Association of Science Educators (NZASE) Primary Science Conference - Active Learning: Science Talk from Classroom to the Dinner Table, 23-24 Apr 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Conner, L. and Astall, C. (2009) Teachers' use of the Science Learning Hub - www.sciencelearn.org. The University of Waikato. 53pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Conner, L. and Astall, C. (2009) Teaching science: Changes to teaching strategies through incorporating on-line resources. Istanbul, Turkey: European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) 2009 Conference, 31 Aug-4 Sep 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Astall, C. and Conner, L. (2009) Teaching Science: Exploring Changes to Teaching Strategies Through the Use of an On-line Multimedia Resource. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 8th Science Education Research Symposium, 19-20 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Bruce, W. and Astall, C. (2009) Thinking about the nature of science? New Zealand Science Teacher 122: 46. Magazine Article. (Other)
  • Astall, C. and Donaldson, K. (2009) 'Time for Science?' Teacher perceptions of factors influencing science teaching in New Zealand primary schools. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: 8th Science Education Research Symposium, 19-20 Nov 2009. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Astall, C. (2008) Exploring Science through children's literature - The Science Postcards Project. Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury Reading Association Seminar: Cracking the Code, 9 Aug 2008. (Oral Presentation)
  • Charleston-Astall, C. (2008) Science Postcards - Encouraging the development of scientific exploration through children's literature. Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia: Conference of the Australian Science Teachers Association (CONASTA 57): Surfing the wave of change, 6-9 Jul 2008. (Conference Contribution - Oral presentation)
  • Taylor A.C., Astall C. and Atkinson R.J.A. (2000) A comparative study of the oxygen transporting properties of the haemocyanin of five species of thalassinidean mud-shrimps. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 244(2): 265-283. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(99)00141-0. (Journal Article)
  • Astall, C., Taylor, A.C. and Atkinson, R.J.A. (1997) Behavioural and physiological implications of a burrow-dwelling lifestyle for two species of upogebiid mud-shrimp (Crustacea: Thalassinidea). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 44(2): 155-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1996.0207. (Journal Article)
  • Astall C., Anderson S.J. and Taylor A.C., Atkinson R.J.A. (1997) Comparative studies of the branchial morphology, gill area and gill ultrastructure of some thalassinidean mud-shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Journal of Zoology 241(4): 665-688. (Journal Article)
  • Astall C., Taylor A.C. and Atkinson R.J.A. (1996) Notes on some branchial isopods parasitic on Upogebiid mud-shrimps (Decapoda: Thalassinidea). Journal of the Marine Biological Association United Kingdom 76(3): 821-824. (Journal Article)
  • Astall, C. (1993) Comparative Physiological Ecology of Some Mud-burrowing Shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea). PhD, University of Glasgow, Glasgow. (Thesis - Doctor of Philosophy)
  • Astall C., Jones M.B. (1991) Respiration and Biometry in the Sea-Cucumber Holothuria-forskali. Journal of the Marine Biological Association United Kingdom 71(1): 73-81. (Journal Article)