This dissertation enhancement grant provides partial support for a U.S. graduate student, Scott Johnston, working under the guidance of Dr. John Schwille, Assistant Dean of International Studies at Michigan State University, to perform a study on the construction of mentor roles in science education teachers in Zimbabwe. Mr. Johnston will examine A-level science teachers in Zimbabwe participating in the Science Education In-Service Teacher Training project (SEITT) to determine how these teachers incorporate the pedagogy and concepts that they learn through SEITT into their own teaching styles and mentoring relationships. The results of this project will provide important feedback on the effectiveness of SEITT which will allow the project leaders to revise the program while it is still in an early stage. Staff members of the Science and Mathematics Education Department at the University of Zimbabwe will collaborate with Mr. Johnston on this project. This study will make an important contribution to the understanding of the development and usefulness of mentoring roles for science education teachers. The grant will also provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.
