Woman with short brown hair, dark orange shirt, and dark accent scarf
Lecturer

Sandra McEwan

(She/Her)
Department of Curriculum, Teaching & Learning
Teaching
Contact info

Biography

Sandra is a Sessional Lecturer for Elementary Science and Environmental Education in the Master of Teaching Program in the Dept. of CTL.  
 
Over the past 4 decades, Sandra had a wide variety of experiences in teaching of children, pre-service teachers and in-service teachers. She is a retired Secondary Science and Environmental Science Teacher and Program Facilitator employed for 30 years with the Durham District School Board. During that time Sandra was seconded as Program Facilitator for Outdoor and Environmental Education and K-12 Science and Technology. She also had an 8 year secondment as Science and Environmental Science Instructor in both the Elementary and Secondary Initial Teacher Education Programs at OISE/UT. For several years, Sandra was Continuing Education Instructor of AQ courses at FEUT and OISE. 

Sandra is author of several science and environmental education publications including textbooks, teacher and student resources and journal articles. She is a also a science and environmental education consultant and workshop and conference presenter. Sandra enjoys gardening, hiking, eco-travels, cottage life and swimming. 

Degrees

  • MEd, Science Education
    University of Toronto/OISE
  • BEd, Science and Environmental Science Education
    University of Toronto/FEUT
  • BSc, Biology
    University of Toronto

Scholarly & Creative Works

  • Acid Rain: The Forgotten Problem
    2013, Andrews Education Services
    S. McEwan, W.A. Andrews
  • Accountability in Outdoor Education
    2010, Andrews Education Services
    S. McEwan, W.A. Andrews
  • Investigating Aquatic Ecosystems
    1986, Andrews Education Services
    S. McEwan, W.A. Andrews
  • Classroom Connects: A collection of secondary lesson plans to engage young people in critical thought about our food systems
    2014, Durham District School Board
    S. McEwan
  • Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom
    2005, the Evergreen Foundation
    S. McEwan
  • Diversity of Living Things, Grade 6
    2013,
    S. McEwan
  • P/J Science and Technology unit development and testing
    1999,
    S. McEwan, W.A. Andrews
  • Pringle Creek Valleyland Cross-curricular Environmental Activities
    1998,
    S. McEwan
  • Infusion Model Curriculum Development Project
    1992, Ontario Society for Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • OAC Science in Society curriculum unit plans
    1991, Durham Board of Education
    S. McEwan
  • Grade 12 Advanced Environmental Science curriculum unit plans
    1989, Durham Board of Education
    S. McEwan
  • Conducting an Ecological Inquiry Investigation
    2006, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Let’s Rock Around
    2005, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Living on a Layer Cake: An Investigation of Local Geological History
    2005, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • A Comparison of Computer Simulation Versus Textbook Study and Field Experience for Teaching About Wetlands
    2003, OISE Paper in STSE Education
    S, McEwan
  • Birds at a Glance
    2003, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Graphic Organizers: Virtual Tools for Learning
    2002, Orbit – OISE/UT’s Magazine for Schools
    S. McEwan
  • Oxygen Availability in Water
    2002, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Aquatic Studies Equipment
    2002, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Studying Animals through Their Tracks and Scats
    2002, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Study of a Rotten Log
    2001, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Investigating Insects
    2001, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • A Nature Scavenger Hunt
    2001, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • A Study of Pioneers on Rocks: Lichens
    2000, nteractions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Connecting Science, Environmental Issues and Writing: Ecological Mysteries
    2000, The Journal of the Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario
    S. McEwan
  • The Accountability in Outdoor Education: Preconference Summary
    2000, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Where is the Environment in the New Ontario Science Curriculum?
    1999, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Wildlife Awareness: An Integrated Approach Using Children’s Literature
    1997, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • A Step Back from the Abyss of Environmental Collapse
    1997, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Partners in the Environment
    1996, The Science Classroom
    S. McEwan
  • Promoting the Environment During Educational Restraints
    1996, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Refocusing Education on the Environment
    1996, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Biodiversity: The Web of Life
    1996, The Nonquon
    S. McEwan
  • Whitby Rotary Environmental Project
    1995, The Durham Board of Education Staff Newsletter
    S. McEwan
  • Waste Trivia Quiz, Waste Analysis Quiz
    1995, The Nonquon
    S. McEwan
  • Interviewing Wildlife: What is Your Attitude Toward Wildlife? Adaptations of Bird Bills and Feet, Mysterious New Creatures, A Wildlife Cinquain
    1994, The Nonquon
    S. McEwan
  • Planning Your Wildlife Sanctuary, Mini-Zoo Exhibit Project, Sources of Native Plants
    1993, The Nonquon
    S. McEwan
  • Students with a Vision for Canada, Going Wild
    1990, The Nonquon
    S. McEwan
  • What is Your Attitude Towards Wildlife? Environmental Feelings
    1990, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Energy Education: Objectives for a Senior Division Environmental Science Course
    1989, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Do You Need More Practice in Home Energy Conservation? Alternative Energy Sources, Automobile Energy Efficiency Quiz, Energy Facts Update, Home Energy Microcomputer Programs, Energy Teacher Publications, Ontario Hydro Outreach Program, Resource Conservati
    1989, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • A Forest Cinquain
    1989, Interactions: The Ontario Journal of Environmental Education
    S. McEwan
  • Students Compete in First Annual Durham Secondary Science Olympics Competition
    1988, The Durham Board of Education Staff Newsletter
    S. McEwan

Research Interests

nature-based learning
outdoor and environmental education
differentiated instruction

Teaching Interests

Science and Environmental Education Sessional Lecturer and Faculty Advisor, MT Program, OISE/UT, 2016-2023 
Faculty of Education Sessional Lecturer and University Liaison, Ontario Tech University, 2017-2022
K-12 Science and Technology Program Facilitator, DDSB, 2012-2014
Science and Environmental Science Instructor, Initial Teacher Education Program, OISE/UT, 1997-2005  
Outdoor and Environmental Education Program Facilitator, DDSB, 1993-1996
Secondary Science and Environmental Science Teacher, DDSB 1984-1993, 1996-97, 2005-2012
Science and Environmental Science Continuing Education Instructor, FEUT and OISE/UT, 1984-1994, 1998, 2005 

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