Michael Bechtel

Associate Professor of Science Education

(319) 352-8380

(319) 352-8606

michael.bechtel@wartburg.edu

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More about Michael Bechtel

B.A., Wartburg College, 1994
M.Ed., University of Wisconsin, 2007
Ed.D., Edgewood College, 2012

Current Research/Areas of Interest
I am interested in STEAM fields (specifically the general fields of biology, chemistry, agriculture, and physics) and educational practices (constructivism, metacognition, student-teacher relationships, academic retention, HOTS, STEAM, NGSS, etc.). Two special areas of interest are biophilia (as described by E.O. Wilson and supported by H. Gardner) and the interweaving of content, heutagogy, and content heutagogy (as originally described by J. Ogden). I am currently working on the creation of classroom aquaponics lessons/systems (used in several school districts in more than 17 states).

Definitions
  • Biophilia refers to the appropriate and productive use of living organisms in the classroom setting (E.O. Wilson, 1984)
  • Heutagogy refers to a self-determined learning approach that enables learners to take control of their education, fostering deeper learning, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills (Hase & Kenyon, 2000):

          1. Personalized self-directed learning.
          2. Self-regulated learner autonomy.
          3. Continual conscientious reflection.
          4. Flexible learning environments.

    The realm of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics) education is an interesting field that allows for intertwining endeavors built from each individual discipline (sciences/mathematics and education). I work to assist students with forming their own approaches to teaching (and understanding) science.

    Background
    I taught the sciences in public schools, community colleges, technical colleges, and university systems in three states (Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) for the first 19 years of my career. Besides three PK-12 teaching licenses, I also have Director of Curriculum, Principal, and Superintendent certifications.

    The Ioponics system I created in partnership with Wartburg College students was selected for funding by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Because of that funding, this interactive system is now in 76 Iowa counties, 17 states, and four countries. .

    I also have received the John O. Chellevold Student Award for Excellence in Teaching and Professional Service (2025, 2015) and the Engaged Campus Award for Emerging Innovation from the Seed Coalition (2024), as well as awards from the Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim (’16), Chellevold (’15), Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (’13), Gustav Ohaus (’12), WKBT (’10), Horace Mann (’09), Central High School (’08), Wartburg College (’07), Saydel High School (’02, ’01, ’00, ’99, ’98), and Iowa Academy of the Sciences (’00) for teaching performance and interactive lesson planning. My personal interest in biophilia focuses on exotic animal and herpetile husbandry.

    Courses Taught
    BI 120 Science of Water (May Term, odd years)
    BI 131 Biology of Ordinary Things (Winter Term)
    BI 214 Ecology and Culture of the Amazon II (May Term, even years)
    BI/CH/PHY 470 Secondary Content Methods (Fall Term, even years)
    CH 110 Chemistry of Ordinary Things (Fall, odd)
    ED 483 Student Teacher Supervision(Fall and Winter)
    ED 488 Middle School Teacher Supervision (Fall and Winter)
    GM 214 Ecology and Culture of the Amazon I (Winter, even)
    PHY 130 Physics of Ordinary Things (Fall, even)
    SCI 385 Elementary Science Methods (Fall)
    SEM 100 First-Year Seminar (Fall)

    Mail address
    Biology Department
    Wartburg College
    100 Wartburg Blvd
    PO Box 1003
    Waverly, Iowa, USA 50677-0903