About Berkheimer Family
Dr. Berkheimer received his B.S. in Chemistry and Biology in 1950 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his M.Ed. degree in 1956 in Science Education and Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.  He taught secondary science in Maryland and Pennsylvania and was Director of Implementation, In-service Training, and Feedback with the Educational Research Council of Greater Cleveland before earning his Ed.D. degree with an emphasis in Curriculum and Chemistry from Michigan State University.

Dr. Berkheimer was a faculty member at MSU from 1966 to 1993 and was active in research and service as well as teaching.  He participated in the development and coordination of the Academic Learning Teacher Program and co-coordinated the All-University Task Force for the Improvement of Science and Mathematics Education.  In addition, he developed curriculum materials for elementary science programs and was one of the authors of both the “Modular Activities Program in Science” published by Houghton Mifflin and the “Houghton Mifflin Science Program.”

Dr. Berkheimer received five National Science Foundation grants.  The last grant was for research and curriculum development in middle school physical science materials and resulted in “Matter and Molecules,” an extensive unit designed to rectify students’ misconceptions of scientific concepts.

Dr. Berkheimer has been involved with policy formation at the national, state and local levels.  He was chairman of the National Science Teachers Association committees that wrote the “Position Statement on School Science for the 70’s” and “Science-Technology-Society: Science Education for the 80’s.”

Among Dr. Berkheimer’s awards are: The Michigan State Teachers Association Outstanding Science Educator Award in 1975, the Distinguished Service Award in 1994, and the MSU College of Education 1988 Outstanding Faculty Award.

Dolores P. Berkheimer received her B.S. degree in Home Economics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and taught school in the Oakmont School District of Pennsylvania.  She was awarded an M.A. from Michigan State University in Curriculum Development and taught Family Life Skills in the Holt School District of Michigan.  The three Berkheimer children graduated from Michigan State University: Glenda as a Computer Science Engineer, Wendy as an Elementary Teacher and G. David as a Chemical Engineer.