Dr. Bobby Jeanpierre, an Associate Professor of Elementary/Middle School Science Education is a National Science Foundation 2005 CAREER AWARD recipient. She joined the College of Education at the University of Central Florida in August, 2001. Currently, she is the middle-level science program coordinator. Dr. Jeanpierre earned a B.S. in secondary biology from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a Master's of Arts in Education with a specialization in gifted education from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a double-focus in science education and program evaluation from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Jeanpierre's CAREER AWARD research is focused on how teachers in K-12 settings implement inquiry-based science instruction, particularly in schools that have diverse, low socioeconomic student populations. Dr. Bobby Jeanpierre has received several awards, and she has participated on committees which provided service to national organizations. Her awards and recognitions include: 2005 CAREER AWARD, 2005-2008 National Science Teachers Association elected Director of Multicultural/Equity in Science Education, 2006 College of Education Distinguished Resarcher Award, 2006 University of Central Florida Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award recipient, 2000 University of Minnesota evaluation program fellow and 1997 American Educational Research Association Evaluation Training fellow. Her research passion is to inquire into ways we can improve science teaching and learning by connecting research-to-practice. It is Dr. Jeanpierre's desire that one day, through our research-to-practice efforts, we will close the science achievement gap and provide high quality science teaching and learning experiences to all students.