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 Professor of Science Education
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Zacharias C. Zacharia is a Professor of Science Education and director of the Research in Science and Technology Education Group at the University of Cyprus. He completed a B.A. in Education at the University of Cyprus (Cyprus), a B.A. in Physics at Rutgers University – New Brunswick (USA), and his graduate studies (M.A., M.Sc., M.Phil and PhD) in Science Education at Columbia University, New York (USA). He was the (co-) coordinator of several research projects concerning computer supported, inquiry-based learning that received continuous financial support over the years from the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation and the European Commission. His research interests include among others the design and development of computer supported learning environments in science, the development and assessment of science curriculum, and the training of teachers for designing and implementing technology enhanced science teaching materials. Zacharias Zacharia has received several awards in recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence, and has published many papers in major ISI journals (e.g., Science, Cognition and Instruction, Learning and Instruction, Journal of Research in Science Teaching). He was an associate editor for the past six years for the Journal of Research in Science Teaching and currently a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching. He is also a reviewer for several major ISI journals.
ResearchGate |
 Specialist Teaching Fellow of Science Education
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Marios Papaevripidou is a Specialist Teaching Fellow of Science Education at the University of Cyprus and Senior Researcher of the Research in Science and Technology Education Group at the University of Cyprus. He completed a B.A in Education, an M.A in Learning in Natural Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Learning in Natural Sciences at the University of Cyprus. His research interests entail the use of modeling as both a learning tool and an instructional approach in science teaching and learning, and also the design and research validation of computer-supported curriculum materials to foster teachers' professional development in modeling-centered scientific inquiry. He participated in several research projects that focused on enhancing students' competence in science through modeling- and inquiry-based activities and preparing teachers to enact science teaching through modeling-centered scientific inquiry with the use of technology.
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 Tasos Hovardas
Researcher
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Tasos Hovardas (male) is a Senior Research Associate of the Research in Science and Technology Education Group at the Department of Education of the University of Cyprus. He completed a B.A in Biology and a Ph.D. in Environmental Biology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He specializes in inquiry learning and evaluating the development of conceptual understanding, reasoning and scientific method skills. He has a strong background in environmental education, psychometrics, quantitative and qualitative social research methods, and educational assessment. He currently acts as an Associate Editor for "Society and Natural Resources". He has published many journal articles and book chapters and he has reviewed manuscripts for several ISI journals. Tasos Hovardas has a broad experience in research projects on computer supported inquiry learning, modelling, science curriculum development and evaluation, and teacher training.
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 Nikoletta Xenofontos
Ph.D.
Researcher
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Nikoletta Xenofontos completed a B.A. in Education, M.A. and PhD in Learning in Natural Sciences, at University of Cyprus. Her research interests focus on enhancing students’ conceptual understanding and acquisition of inquiry skills through the use of computer-supported inquiry-based learning. Specifically, she investigates the impact of several software scaffolds, embedded in computer supported inquiry learning environments involving virtual experimentation. From 2008-2017 she was involved as a teaching assistant at the University of Cyprus and she participated in national and EU Funded projects (e.g. SCY project, Go-Lab project). She is currently involved in the EU funded Next-Lab project.
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 Υvoni Pavlou
Ph.D candidate in Learning in Natural Sciences
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Yvoni Pavlou is currently a Ph.D. candidate in "Learning in Natural Sciences" of the University of Cyprus. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education (University of Cyprus, 2015) and a M.A. degree in "Learning in Natural Sciences" (University of Cyprus, 2017). Her research interests concern teachers' professional development and the training of teachers for designing and implementing innovative educational approaches.
She has been working as a teaching and research assistant in the "Research in Science and Technology Education Group" (ReSciTEG) at the University of Cyprus since 2015. She was previously involved in Erasmus+ projects (e.g. Schools Study Earthquakes (SSE) project, PLATON project) and she is currently involved in the Ginobot project, the Erasmus+ Polar Star project and the Horizon 2020 SALL project. Her instructional duties include the preparation and instruction of laboratory courses for undergraduate students as part of their enrollment in the courses EDU 336: Teaching of Natural Sciences and EDU 435 Natural Sciences in Early Childhood. |
 Kyriaki Vakkou
Postgraduate Student (Master)
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Kyriaki Vakkou holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics (University of Cyprus). She is currently a postgraduate student in "Learning in the Natural Sciences". She is part of our team since September 2020 and she works in the GINOBOT project. Her instructional duties include the preparation and instruction of laboratory courses for undergraduate students as part of their enrollment in the course EDU 435: Natural Sciences in Early Childhood.
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 Georgia Koutti
Postgraduate Student (Master)
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Georgia Kouti is pursuing her M.A. degree in Learning in Natural Sciences at the Department of Education of the University of Cyprus. She has received her B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from the University of Cyprus (2019). During her undergraduate degree, she participated in 4 traineeship placements programs in: Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), Imperial College London (England), CERN (Switzerland), KIOS Research Center (Cyprus). Her special interests are in the Research and Development of STEM education. |
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Past Members
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 Maria Irakleous Ph.D. candidate in Learning in Natural Sciences |
Maria Irakleous holds a Bachelor's degree in Primary Education (University of Cyprus, 2013) and a Master's degree in Learning in Natural Sciences (University of Cyprus, 2016). She is a PhD student in Learning in Natural Sciences (University of Cyprus). Her research interests revolve around teachers' professional development in inquiry-based teaching and curriculum material design to foster teachers' professional development in inquiry-based learning. She works as a Research Assistant in the European research project "Ark of Inquiry".
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Andreas S. Nittis Postgraduate Student (Master) |
Andreas S. Nittis has completed his undergraduate studies at UCY (Pre-primary Education 2015-2019). He ended up by winning the department's first degree and also a fellowship for his postgraduate degree in "Learning in the Natural Sciences". He has been a member of the team since September 1, 2019.
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Konstantinos Manolis completed his basic studies in the "Wildlife, Watershed, and Rangeland Resources" program and pursued a Postgraduate and Doctorate in Environmental Learning at the University of Arizona in the United States. His research interests focus on educational environmental values and behaviors and their impact on environmental behavior after participating in educational programs. In the past, Constantine was a visiting professor and research fellow at the Department of Education Sciences at the University of Cyprus. At the same time, he has been a lecturer in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development Education at the Department of Education Sciences at Frederick University. In addition, he was a supervising professor of graduate and doctoral students at Frederick University as well as president of the committee and member on the same time. He has now returned to the University of Arizona as an Assistant Director at the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning and head of the Earth Education Research and Evaluation Team. In addition, he teaches undergraduate courses on "Environmental Education" and participates in the committee that oversees the development of dissertations. |
 Anna Fiakkou
Master Student in Learning in Natural Sciences
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Anna Fiakkou holds a Bachelor's degree in Education (University of Cyprus, 2013) and a M.A. degree in "Learning in Natural Sciences" (University of Cyprus, 2016). She was involved in the EU funded project "Go-Lab". Her instructional duties included the preparation and instruction of laboratory courses for undergraduate students as part of their enrollment in the course EDU 336: Teaching of Natural Sciences.
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Eleftheria holds a Bachelor's degree in Education (University of Cyprus, 2016) and a M.A. degree in "Learning in Natural Sciences" (University of Cyprus, 2019). She was involved in the Erasmus+ funded project "PLATON". Her instructional duties included the preparation and instruction of laboratory courses for undergraduate students as part of their enrollment in the course EDU 336: Teaching of Natural Sciences.
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Constantinos Manoli
Eleftheria Panteli
