Pepperdine Professor Dr. Eric Hamilton Invited to Teach, Speak at Two Recent National STEM Education Conclaves

Pepperdine Professor of Education Dr. Eric Hamilton, PhD was recently selected to present a professional development seminar for the 213 recipients of the nation’s prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The seminar was held in the nation’s capital as a part of a weekend celebration for these K-12 teachers recognized for their achievements in the field of STEM education.

In addition to his role as seminar presenter, Hamilton was also a distinguished speaker at a Next Generation STEM Learning for All Forum held on the same weekend as the awards ceremony, also in the capital. At this event, Hamilton spoke about the need to rethink teaching and curriculum, moving towards a creating a “maker” mindset instead among high school students. “It was a fantastic program, with Dr. Hamilton and his peers talking about the need for educators to let go of a ‘just in case learning’ approach in favor of ‘just in time learning’ instead,” said one attendee.

Hamilton’s continuing leadership within the field of mathematics and science education comes no surprise to his colleagues at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of  Education & Psychology. Along with his role as an education and mathematics professor at the University, Hamilton also has served in two directorships at the National Science Foundation, supervising $500 million in Foundation funds on relevant research and teaching.

Hamilton is regularly consulted by government officials and national experts on mathematics and science education. He also currently leads National Science Foundation research on participatory teaching, media-making, and learner engagement, conducting parallel work in East Africa and Namibia, where he is a 2015-2017 Fulbright Research Fellow.

“We’re very proud of Dr. Hamilton here at Pepperdine,” says Dr. Farzin Madjidi, Interim Associate Dean of Education and professor of leadership at Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology. “His role as a thought leader is so inspiring to everyone within our community. His achievements and significant body of work continue to amaze!”

Hamilton’s presence at both events occurs at a time when the graduate school continues to emerge as a global leader in training scholar-practitioners who will go on to serve at the forefront of their respective fields. It has recently introduced a groundbreaking new doctorate program in Global Leadership and Change, along with offering well respected, rigorous master’s and doctorate programs in education and psychology. It also provides multiple continuing education workshops, and research opportunities for scholars worldwide. Hamilton’s nationwide recognition clearly aligns with a new era of achievement for Pepperdine University, and its Graduate School of Education & Psychology.