Joshua M. Pearce [J.M. Pearce homepage] [email]

Joshua is now an assistant professor at Clarion College

Mr. Pearce is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in STS. He has two B.S. degrees from Penn State in Chemistry and Physics. His primary research concentration is in electronic device physics and material science of hydrogenated amorphous silicon photovoltaics (solar cells), although his research interests also include energy policy, green engineering/sustainability, and STS pedagogy. He enjoys teaching STS topics because of the inherent excitement generated from inciting students to think critically about their world. He is currently teaching STS150, a class that culminates in a self-directed learning assignment meant to promote active citizenship. The now infamous "Do Something!" assignment has been showcased effectively by promoting sustainable applications of sci-tech in the Penn State community.

Recent projects

His recent publications include technical articles in Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Applied Physics, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Material Research Society Symposium Proceedings, and the IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conf. Proceedings. At the 3rd World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion he presented for the first time direct experimental evidence for the evolution of a second Staebler-Wronski defect in a-Si:H materials.

His non-technical articles appear in the journals of the Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society; Futures; and Planning for Higher Education.

In addition, he was the project coordinator for the Mueller Report, which quantified how Penn State could simultaneously reduce operating costs and increase environmental stewardship.

Teaching

STS 100: The Ascent of Humanity is a GH course surveying the major scientific and technological revolutions in human history.

STS 150/EMSC 150: Out of the Fiery Furnace is a GN course covering the discovery and exploitation of the earth's natural resources to produce and utilize materials and energy.

STS496 Independent Study: Advanced courses on the diffusion of photovoltaic technologies in American society and the development of sustainable policies and practices at the university level. For a course outline click: Brightfields: Solar Photovoltaic Remediation of Brownfields.