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Lara Smetana

Professor

Selected Grant-funded Projects

  • PI, LUC-Noyce Scholars (2017-2022; 2023-2028) NSF 1660794 & 2243339
  • Co-PI, Pre-service Teacher Research Experience in Biodiversity Studies NSF 2151086
  • Co-PI, School Organization and Science Achievement (2011-2016) NSF 1119349
  • Advisory Board, Emerging and Effective Culturally Relevant Practices for Mathematics and Science Teaching in High Needs Schools (2020-2023) NSF 2001058

Education

  • PhD, Science Education, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Research Interests

  • Science teacher identity and practice
  • Teacher preparation, induction, and retention
  • Informal education & community partnerships

Courses Taught

  • TLSC 231/421: Teaching Science in Elementary & Middle Schools
  • TLSC 300a/b: Professional Learning Communities
  • TLSC 455: Teaching and Learning in an Area of Specialization – Secondary Science
  • CIEP 488: Participatory Action Research in Schools & Communities
  • CIEP 540: Seminar: Research in Curriculum & Instruction
  • CIEP 600: Dissertation Supervision

Publications/Research Listings

Recent Journal Articles:

  • Smetana, L. K. & Leong, B. A. (2026). ‘ “I am a scientist and I am a science teacher!”: Negotiating shifts in professional dentity.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 63(3), 259–276. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.70039.
  • Leong, B. A., & Smetana, L. K. (2025). Exploring the longitudinal value of a research experience for preservice secondary science teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2025.2531312
  • Smetana, L.K. (2024). Educator experiences during a collaborative STEAM program. Action in Teacher Education, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01626620.2024.2430768
  • Rovito, K., Hoffman, A., DelGhingaro, S., Smetana, L., & Grillo, M. (2024). Exploring beneficial species interactions: A phenomenon-driven approach to understanding legumes and rhizobia mutualism. Science Scope, 47(6), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/08872376.2024.2407312
  • Smetana, L.K., Gorman, J., Gorman, S. & Scales, D. (2024). A framework to guide science educators’ efforts in confronting misinformation. Innovations in Science Teacher Education, 9(1).
  • Smetana, L.K. & Kushki, A. (2023). Confronting, investigating, and learning from professional identity tensions. European Journal of Teacher Education, 1-19. 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2023.2212854

Books:

  • Lottero-Perdue, P.S., Smetana, L.K., Southerland, S.A. (under contract). Teaching learner-centered science and engineering in elementary grades: A principles-based approach. New York: Routledge.
  • Settlage, J., Southerland, S.A., Smetana, L.K. & Lottero-Perdue, P.S. (2017). Teaching science to every child: Using culture as the starting point, 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge.