Dr. Peter Kalenda (he/him/his) is an educator, researcher, and advocate for hands-on, inquiry-based science learning. He joined SUNY Geneseo in 2023 and has taught full-time at SUNY since 2016. Dr. Kalenda specializes in offering courses in inquiry-based science education methods (B-6 & 7-12), action research, program evaluation, and student teaching supervision. His research on technology integration in science education helps future teachers explore innovative ways to engage students in the classroom. Additional areas of research include developing global competency skills among teacher candidates, program evaluation, and exhibit design in informal science education spaces (zoos, aquariums, and museums).
Dr. Kalenda serves as the Assistant Regional Director of the New York State Master Teachers Program (Finger Lakes Chapter). In this role, he develops and facilitates professional learning opportunities focused on the learning needs of regional PreK-6 STEM educators.
At the Seneca Park Zoo, Dr. Kalenda serves as the Community Partner for Evaluation & Research (Seneca Park Zoo Society). He develops evaluation plans for zoo education programs, conducts research on exhibit design, and serves as a liaison between SUNY Geneseo and the zoo.
As an informal science educator, Dr. Kalenda is also a certified scuba and freediving instructor, bringing his passion for hands-on learning to both the classroom and the natural world.
Classes
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CURR 316: Teaching Sci &Math to Children
This course covers contemporary teaching/learning strategies for mathematics and science instruction in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Instructional techniques integrate hands-on learning, manipulatives, the student's environment, functional uses of mathematics and science, and assessment strategies appropriate for all students. The focus will be on the nature of children's science and mathematics learning, the teacher as a facilitator of meaningful learning, and New York State and National Learning Standards for science, mathematics, and technology. Constructivism, the idea that individuals must build knowledge from their own experience and thought, provides an underpinning for insights into the nature of children's learning in the life and physical sciences and in mathematics. Includes field trip component.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
B.S. Biology, Canisius College, 2002
M.S. Adolescence Education, Canisius College, 2006
Program Evaluation Certificate, University of Rochester, 2015
C.A.S. School Building and District Leadership, University of Rochester, 2015
Ed.D. Teaching & Curriculum, University of Rochester, 2015
Classes Taught
CURR 316: Teaching Science & Math to Children
EDUC 300/500: Exploring Connections Between Culture, History, and Education: Iceland
H&PE 220: Freediving Skills for Marine Research
Publications
Kalenda, P., Rath, L., Abugasea Heidt, M., Wright, A. (2024) Pre-service Teacher Perceptions of ChatGPT for Lesson Plan Generation. Journal of Educational Technology Systems (JETS).
Kalenda, P. (2024) ChatGPT Can Write My Class Assignments, Right?: A Guided Classroom Activity for Teaching the Strengths and Weaknesses of Generative-AI Tools. Artificial Intelligence, 2024-25. 2.
Olmstead, K., Kalenda, P. J., Rath, L. T., Xue, J., Zhang, J. (2023). Empathy throughout the curriculum: Using picture books to promote activism & equity. The Language & Literacy Spectrum, 33(1), 69-88.
Kalenda, P. J. (2021). The benefits of collaborative zoo exhibit design through action research. Museums & Social Issues. 14(1-2), 23-44.
Kalenda, P. J., Rath, L. T., Glor, H. (2020). Building partnerships: Using 3D printing to support take-home science activities. Teacher Librarian. 47(5), 26–31.
Kalenda, P. J. (2015). Creating learning experiences that promote informal science education: Designing conservation-focused interactive zoo exhibits through action research. University of Rochester. Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
Affiliations
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
International Consortium for Research in Science and Mathematics Education (ICRSME)
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)
The Association of Science Teacher Education (ASTE)
Online Learning Consortium (OLC)
Scuba Schools International (SSI)