John Davis, Ph.D.

John Davis is Associate Professor of Geology (Department of Geological Science) and Science Education (Department of Curriculum & Instruction) at the University of Idaho (UI). Dr. Davis has industry experience in petroleum & engineering geology, and Earth Systems Science. Subsequent to his technical field background, he became a middle school science teacher, eventually committing to completion of his Ph.D. in Science Education, leading to a joint position in geology and science education at the University of Idaho. Dr. Davis has a broad background in Geological sciences and Earth Systems Science, curriculum development, instructional design, and large-scale test design and implementation in several intermountain states. He has directed multiple federal-, state-, and privately-funded projects as PI or Co-PI ($5.8M in overall funding over 15 years), has conducted numerous inservice teacher enhancement workshops, served as evaluator on several funded projects, and has served as a consultant to numerous school districts and the Coeur d' Alene tribe, both as an educator and as a geologist. Dr. Davis also served as Department Chair of Curriculum & Instruction from 2005-2007.

Currently, Dr. Davis is teaching in his areas of interest, being physical geology,  science education, strategies of teaching, and measurement & evaluation, and is engaged in securing funding and conducting research in geoscience education. He is currently is a member of the Geologic Society of America, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Idaho Science Teachers Association.