Research Interests

Teaching and learning of mathematics education, STEM education at the elementary level, supporting pre-service and in-service teachers to teach mathematics effectively.

Peer-reviewed Journal Manuscripts – Published

 Jurgenson, K. & Delaney, A. (In Press, 2020). The three little engineers. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching Pre-K-12.

 Delaney, A. & Jurgenson, K. (2019). Building bridges: Connecting science and engineering with literacy and mathematics. Science and Children, 57(1), 82-88.

 Jurgenson, K. & Appelgate, M. (2019). Using existing lessons to create three-dimensional lessons. Science Scope, 43(1), 70-74.

Appelgate, M., Jackson, C., Jurgenson, K., & Delaney, A. (2018). Introducing mathematics concepts using STEM Connections. Teaching Children Mathematics, 24(6), 394-397.

Peer-reviewed Book Chapters 

 Jackson, C., Tank, K., Appelgate, M., Jurgenson, K., Delaney, A., & Erden, C. (In Press). History of integrated STEM curriculum. Handbook of Research on STEM Education.

Invited Scholarly Presentations

Paper Presentations

Jurgenson, K., Appelgate, M. (February 2020). The evolution of teachers’ perceptions of integrated STEM education over three years. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Phoenix, AZ.

Appelgate, M., Jurgenson, K., & Jackson, C. (February 2020). Developing an integrated STEM curriculum in partnership with engineers and teachers. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Phoenix, AZ.

 Jurgenson, K., Rokkum, J., Baker, A., & Bolles, H. (November 2019). Self-efficacy for self-regulatory behaviors and student achievement in an undergraduate calculus course. 41st annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Groups for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, St. Louis, MO.

Delaney, A., Jackson, C., & Jurgenson, K. (April 2019). Coding and logic: Play-based spatial reasoning and computational thinking in PK-2. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.

 Jackson, C., Appelgate, M., Jurgenson, K., I, J., & Huey, M. (February 2019). Evolution of teachers’ beliefs and attitudes towards teaching black and emerging bilingual students. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Orlando, FL.

Appelgate, M., Jackson, C., Jurgenson, K., & Delaney, A. (November 2018). Using text messages to connect linguistically diverse families with their child’s mathematics classroom learning. 40th annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Groups for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Greenville, SC.

Jackson, C., Appelgate, M., Whitmer, C., Delaney, A., & Jurgenson, K. (April 2018). Why boats float: It speaks volumes about mathematics. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.

 Jurgenson, K. (February 2018).  “It was like being a first-year teacher”: Doctoral students’ experiences becoming mathematics teacher educators. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators, Houston, TX.

Poster Presentations

Jackson, C., Appelgate, M., Delaney, A., & Jurgenson, K. (November 2018). Influence of integrated STEM curricula on instruction. 40th annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Groups for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Greenville, SC.

 Appelgate, M., Jackson, C., Jurgenson, K., Delaney, A. (October 2018). Using mathematically focused text messages to communicate with parents. Interdepartmental Research Showcase, Ames, IA.

Appelgate, M., Jackson, C., Jurgenson, K., Delaney, A. (April 2018). Using mathematically focused text messages to communicate with parents. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Research Conference, Washington, D.C.

Research Grant Projects

Promoting Student Engagement and Productive Groups Dynamics in Team-Based Learning Calculus Courses. Miller Faculty Fellowship. Award amount: $14,986. Co-PIs: Amanda Baker, Ph.D. and Heather Bolles, Ph.D. Role: Research Assistant. Dec. 2017 – May 2019.

Design environment for Educator – Student Collaboration Allowing Real-Time Engineering-centric STEM (DESCARTES) exploration in middle grades. Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research. Award amount: $310,475. PI: Christopher Whitmer, Ph.D. Awarded as a subcontract to Christa Jackson, Ph.D. from Parametric Studio. Role: Research Assistant. May 2017 – Jun. 2019.

Effectively Supporting all Students to be Successful in Algebra. Iowa Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program (Title II – B). Award amount: $340,060. PI: Crista Jackson, Ph.D. and Mollie Appelgate, Ph.D. Role: Research Assistant. May 2017 – Aug. 2018.

Engineering Design Instruction Software for implementing Objectives of Next (EDISON) Generation Standards in K-12. National Science Foundation Award Amount: $107,226 (Full project amount: $225,000). PI: Christopher Whitmer, Ph.D.. Awarded as a subcontract to Christa Jackson, Ph.D. from Parametric Studio. Role: Research Assistant. Jul. 2016 – Jun. 2017.

Design environment for Educator – Student Collaboration Allowing Real-Time Engineering-centric STEM (DESCARTES) exploration in middle grades. Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research. Award Amount: $49,813 (Full project amount: $149,740). PI: Christopher Whitmer, Ph.D. Awarded as a subcontract to Christa Jackson, Ph.D. from Parametric Studio. Role: Research Assistant. May 2016 – Dec. 2016.

Using Mathematically-Focused Text Messages to Improve Connections between Linguistically-Diverse Parents and Their Child’s Classroom Learning. University of Northern Iowa Center for Educational Transformation. Award Amount: $31,000. PI: Mollie Applegate, Ph.D., Co-PI: Christa Jackson, Ph.D. Role: Research Assistant. Apr. 2016 – Jun. 2017.

Literacy and STEM Summer Library Internship Program for Teacher Candidates. Iowa State University – Human Sciences Extension and Outreach and the College of Human Sciences. Award amount: $35,960. PI: Mollie  Appelgate, Ph.D. Role: Research Assistant. Jul. 2016 – Aug. 2017.

Growing Pre-service Teacher Practice using Screencasts of Elementary Students’ Mathematical Thinking. Award amount: $9,431. Iowa State University – College of Human Sciences Seed Grant Program. PI: Mollie Appelgate, Ph.D. Role: Research Assistant. May 2016 – Aug. 2017.