Education
Michael Odell, Ph.D.
Title: Roosth Endowed Chair, Professor of STEM Education
Department: Education
Building: BEP 229F
Email: modell@uttyler.edu
Phone: 903.566.7132
Degrees
- Ph.D. Indiana University
Major: Curriculum and Instruction/Science Education - M.A.T. University of Texas at Dallas
Major: Science Education - B.A. University of Texas at Dallas
Major: Geoscience; Minor: Literature
Biography
Michael R.L. Odell, Ph.D. is the Sam and Celia Roosth Chair in Education at The University
of Texas at Tyler. He is a Professor of STEM Education with a joint appointment in
the College of Education and Psychology and the College of Engineering. Dr. Odell
began his career in education as an Earth Science teacher in Irving, Texas (1984-1990).
After six years in K-12 education, Dr. Odell pursued his doctorate and transitioned
to higher education. He has been instrumental in implementing innovative programs
that have resulted in increased enrollments, extramural research grants, and gifts
from alumni and industry. Programs initiated by Dr. Odell include the UTeach Replication
which has doubled the number of STEM teachers produced by the university. The establishment
of two Core Research facilities for UT System at UT Tyler, one in Education and one
in Engineering. He also established the UT Tyler Innovation Academies charter schools.
Dr. Odell oversees the curriculum and culture for the open enrollment charters located
at UT Tyler main campus (Tyler, TX) and extension campuses in Longview and Palestine.
He also established the Ingenuity Center, the largest of seven designated STEM Centers
in Texas that has an annual budget of $11 million dollars (revenue) including grants,
contracts, and fee for service projects. Dr. Odell oversees the management of the
Discovery Science Place, a Children’s STEM Museum and associated Mobile STEM Outreach
across the US. Under Dr. Odell’s past leadership of the Office of Research and Technology
Transfer, sponsored research programs grew significantly. UT Tyler Ranked 3rd nationally in percentage growth of research dollars overall and 3rd nationally in percentage growth of federal research dollars (Chronicle of Higher
Education Almanac, 2016). In years past, Dr. Odell also served as the Director of
the School of Education, and the Associate VP for Sponsored Research at UT Tyler.
Prior to UT Tyler, Dr. Odell served in administrative positions at the University
of Idaho and Illinois State University. Dr. Odell currently serves on the Discovery
Science Place Board, the Innovation Academy School Board, Texas Regional Collaborative
Advisory Board, UTeach STEM Education Association Board, and the Texas STEM Center
Coalition Board of Directors. He is best known for his work with the NASA Opportunities
for Visionary Academics (NOVA) program, the National Space Grant College and Fellowship
program, Texas Project Lead the Way (PLTW), Texas STEM Center Coalition and the UT
Tyler Innovation Academies. He has served as a National Space Grant Fellow at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (1995-97) and as a Faculty Fellow at NASA Kennedy
Space Center (2003) in Florida. During his career, Dr. Odell has published numerous
articles, book chapters, proceedings, and technical reports. He has won over $60 million
in grants, contracts, royalties and development. He has also developed a number of
new revenue streams through entrepreneurial activities.
Professional Certifications
- Secondary Level (6-12) Earth Science/English, Texas
Courses Taught
- ELED 4214 - Teaching Science in the Elementary School
- GEOL 3310 - Physical Geology and Astronomy
- EDUC 5308 - Current Issues in Education
- EDUC 5370 - Historical and Philosophical Foundations
- EDUT 4370 - Project-Based Instruction
Research and Professional Interests
- STEM Education
- Engineering Education
- School Improvement
- Education Policy