Chapter 2: F. James Rutherford: An All Star Hall of Fame Science Educator

It is not easy to trace a person’s life story in such a manner that will accurately capture the essence of the person, along with the driving ambitions that collectively become absorbed into the intellectual history of science education. There are many ways that individual contributors have earned their way into the All Star Hall of Fame of Science Education. Some have contributed directly in explicit ways to the body of theoretical knowledge that now is the framework and/or body of considered acceptable “best practice” or methodologies of learning and instruction. Some have been pioneers in the creation of exemplary curricula that blend theory and practice or are innovative. For others, their notoriety is associated with pivotal research in the learning and teaching of science. Some, such as F. James Rutherford, have accomplishments that cross over several of the above-mentioned categories. For Rutherford, the story of his accomplishments includes many leadership roles, including but not limited to: