Robert Zisk

Robert Zisk, Ph.D. is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Science Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. His research focuses on how inquiry-based methods such as the investigative science learning environment (ISLE) support students in developing deep conceptual understanding, scientific reasoning, and agency in STEM classrooms. Dr. Zisk’s work examines the intersection of teacher education, classroom practice, and equitable science instruction—particularly how teachers can create learning experiences that center students’ ideas and identities in the pursuit of meaningful science learning.

Dr. Zisk is the coordinator of the physics teacher preparation program, which is consistently rated in the top 1% of physics education programs in the country and the advanced licensure program in science education. He teaches courses in science methods, preparing both preservice and in-service teachers to design and facilitate phenomena-based, student-centered science instruction. He also collaborates with local schools and districts as a community school partnership network liaison to strengthen clinical partnerships, mentor student teachers and implement professional development programs.

Dr. Zisk has presented nationally and internationally on teacher preparation, classroom discourse, practice-based teacher education and teaching quality. He is committed to mentoring emerging educators and fostering inclusive, inquiry-driven classrooms.

• Expertise & Research Interest
  Teacher Education, Science Teacher Education, Equity in Science Education, Teaching Quality
• Recent and Select Publications
  Journal Articles
  Bugge, D., Rutberg, J., Ahmed, S., Zisk, R., & Jamula, D. (2022) Development of Hypothetico-Deductive Skills in an ISLE-Based Lab Taught by Novice Instructors (Accepted for Publication in Physics Education)Gitomer, D.H. & Zisk, R. (2015) Knowing what teachers know. Review of Research In Education, 39

  Shorter Submissions
  Gitomer, D.H. & Zisk, R. (2015) Laboratories: learning and assessment. In Gunstone, R. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Science Education

  Zisk, R. & Etkina, E (2014) Exploring the use of elaborative interrogation in an introductory physics course. In Pullman, J., Kyza. E., O’Neill, D., Tabak, I., Penuel, W., Jurow, A., O’Connor, K., Lee, T., & D’Amico, L. (Eds.) Proceedings of the 11th International Conference of the Learning Sciences. (pp. 1501 – 1502) Boulder, Colorado.

• Files

  Robert Zisk, Ph.D. CV