qiuju tan
Qiuju
Tian
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Hirt 300H
qtian@mercyhurst.edu
814-824-3372

Qiuju Tian, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Early Childhood Education at Mercyhurst University. Her primary teaching areas are in child development, as well as the pedagogical aspects of teaching mathematics and science within the context of early childhood education.

Dr. Tian previously served as a Mandarin Chinese teacher at a public elementary school in Tennessee. She has been at Mercyhurst since 2021. Her work and research primarily focus on enhancing professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, with a particular focus on improving STEM instruction and learning. Additionally, she is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by young dual language learners in educational contexts.

Education

  • Ph.D. Early Childhood Education, East Tennessee State University 
  • M.A. Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Beijing Language and Culture University
  • B.A. Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Beijing Language and Culture University

Courses Taught

  • EDUC 107: Early Foundations
  • EDUC 108: Language & Literacy I
  • EDUC 202: Math Methods
  • EDUC 400: Integrated Methods

Teaching Interests

  • Child development
  • Teaching mathematics and science in early childhood classrooms

Research Interests

  • Enhancing professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, with a particular focus on improving STEM instruction and learning.

Recent Publications

Robertson, L., Lange, A., Price, J., Lowery, A., McAvoy, H.; Tian, Q., & Nivens, R. (2023). Making stone soup: A collaborative approach to integrated STEM. Science & Children, 60(4), 68-71.

Lange, A. A., Atkins, E., Tian, Q., Bullen, K., & Lodien, L. (2023). I need to make it taller! Engineering to solve wind challenges in preschool. Teaching Young Children, 16(2), 26-30.

Lange, A.A., Robertson, L., Tian, Q., Nivens, R., & Price J. (2022). The effects of an early childhood-elementary teacher preparation program in STEM on pre-service teachers. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 18(12).

Lange, A., Rice, E., Howe, N., & Tian, Q. (2021). A light challenge: First graders engineer and obstacle course with flashlights. Science and Children, 58(3), 32–37.

Grants and External Funding

Johnson, S., Bauschard, A, Burniston, A., & Tian, Q. (2022). STEM & vine: A Learning Ecosystem that Advances Rural Equity in CS/STEM Access and Opportunity. Pennsylvania Department of Education; PA Smart Advancing Grant Total projected grant; 2 years at $500,000. Amount awarded Year 1 $250,000.

Sareh, N., Nyabando, T., & Tian, Q. (2022). NAECTE Foundation Grants for Research in Early Childhood Teacher Education, $2000.