Education

Ph.D., Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University
M.S.,  Science Education, Florida State University
B.A., Elementary Education, Rio Grand College

Expertise

Science Education, science education methods, teacher professional development, scientist and engineer collaborations with K-12 schools, and nature-based inquiry

Background

Stephen Thompson is a distinguished researcher and award-winning professor in the Department of Teacher Education. His research centers on improving K-8 science education, with a particular emphasis on science teacher preparation for high-need communities. His research foci include the development practice-based models of science teacher development, examination of teacher residency approaches to teacher preparation, and the creation of reform-based science education curricular materials.

Thompson is also a proud first-generation college graduate who currently serves as the inaugural Faculty Director of the First-Generation Living and Learning Community. In his role as Faculty Director, Thompson supports first-generation college student success, career advancement, and leadership development.

Selected Publications

Compton-Lilly, C., Thompson, S., Hao, L., Demir, A., Braden, E., Curcio, R., Harbour, K., (2025). Becoming teachers: embedded methods courses and teachers’ voices, School University Partnerships, 1-19, https://doi.org/10.1108/SUP-12-2024-0039.

Thompson, S. L., Fan, X., & Adgerson, A. J. (2024).  Exploring a practice-based approach to elementary preservice science teacher preparation. School Science and Mathematics, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12663

Thompson, S., Clinton, M., Miller, B., & Fu, Z., (2023), Methods for Viewing the Plant Stomata Defense Mechanism, American Biology Teacher.

Thompson, S., Curcio, R., Adgerson, A., Harbour, K., D'Amico, L., West, H., Roy, G., Baker, M., Guest, J., & Compton-Lilly, C., (2022), Virtual summer institutes as a method of rural science teacher development, Theory and Practice in Rural Education, 12(2), 153-178.

Thompson, S., Hall, K. & Miller, B., (2021). Immerse Elementary Students in Light Explorations: Using the Anchoring Phenomenon Created by a Camera Obscura to Examine Light, Science and Children,59(2),67-73.

Thompson, S., & Emmer. E., (2019). Closing the Experience Gap: The Influence of an Immersed Methods Course in Science, Journal of Science Teacher Education, (30)3, 300-319, DOI: 10.1080/1046560X.2018.1562811.

Selected Awards 

University of South Carolina Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award (2009)
University of South Carolina College of Education Leonard Maiden Spirit of Service Award (2008)