“Our class trips to the Great Smoky Mountains enable students to observe, and learn about native trees and shrubs in temperate North America as they hike in the Park. Field experiences such as that, or being able to do research through OWU’s Theory to Practice grant program, in an institution such as the New York Botanical Garden, build understanding. I want my students to learn how to learn. Course content will stay with them for only as long as they use it. They have to have the tools to foster their own learning.

“Science education is theory to practice, and is more crucial now than ever. When I teach my students—especially non majors—I’m teaching people who one day may lead other enterprises and make important policy decisions. They all need to know how to interpret scientific data, and how science works.”

David Johnson (B.A., Hendrix College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Michigan), Allen Trimble Professor of Botany/Microbiology focuses his research on biodiversity and the evolution of tropical trees, and was awarded two Fulbright grants for his research on Xylopia (Annonaceae). One of several professors awarded a Theory to Practice grant this year, Professor Johnson oversaw the research of one of his students, Greg Stull, who spent two weeks at the New York Botanical Garden confirming and continuing the work of his professor on Xylopia. Professor Johnson has described more than 30 species of plants new to science, and has written collaborative articles for publication with colleagues from many countries around the world.