Dr. Heather Toomey Zimmerman

Professor of Education (LDT)

310E Keller Building
University Park, PA 16802

Areas of Expertise

Learning Social Sciences
Augmented Reality Engineering & Materials Science
Museums Engineering & Materials Science
Mobile Computing Engineering & Materials Science
Museum Social Sciences
Informal Learning Social Sciences
Application Programs Engineering & Materials Science
Video Social Sciences

Science Education
Equity and Diversity in Learning
Learning Sciences
Individual Difference: Cognition, Family Processes, Gender, Human Development, Identity, Learning Processes

Websites

Elsevier Pure Profile

: Dr. Zimmerman and her research group use ethnographic and design-based research methods to study how children and families participate in science learning activities. Zimmerman partners with schools, nature centers, libraries, gardens, and museums to investigate the development of interests, knowledge, and expertise related to the life sciences, earth sciences, and engineering. With colleague Dr. Susan Land, her team explores how mobile computers support people's understanding of ecology, including pollinator-plant interactions. A 2016-2018 project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is creating intergenerational workshops held in libraries and museums; two workshops (Water Quality In My Community and Plants Around Us), are related to pollinators.
: 2022

Shifts of epistemic agency between children and parents during making at museum-based makerspace
Yong Ju Jung, Devon Purington Whalen, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2022, In: International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement

Place-based mobile AR
Susan M. Land, Heather Zimmerman, Lillyanna Faimon, Yu Chen Chiu, Lucy McClain, Nicholas Rossi, Bart Masters, Brad Kozlek, 2022, In: International Collaboration toward Educational Innovation for All

Place-based learning processes in a family science workshop
Lucy R. McClain, Yu Chen Chiu, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2022, In: Science Education

Using immersive augmented reality to guide families' observations and visualizations of pollinator habitats in outdoor spaces
Lucy R. McClain, Heather Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Lillyanna Faimon, Yu Chen Chiu, Stephanie Bowles, Charles A. Keith, 2022, In: International Collaboration toward Educational Innovation for All

Mobile Augmented Reality Supporting Community-based Learning
Heather Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Lillyanna Faimon, Yu Chen Chiu, 2022, In: International Collaboration toward Educational Innovation for All

Supporting children’s place-based observations and explanations using collaboration scripts while learning-on-the-move outdoors
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, 2022, In: International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

Using youths’ personal DNA data in science camps
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jennifer L. Weible, Elizabeth A. Wright, Carmen Vanderhoof, Nina G. Jablonski, 2022, In: Science Education

Place-based mobile AR
Susan M. Land, Heather Zimmerman, Lillyanna Faimon, Yu Chen Chiu, Lucy McClain, Nicholas Rossi, Bart Masters, Brad Kozlek, 2022, In: 15th International Conference on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

2021

Families’ engagement in making activities related to aerospace engineering
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Katharine Ellen Grills, Zachary McKinley, Soo Hyeon Kim, 2021, In: Information and Learning Science

Digital badging systems as a set of cultural tools for personalized professional development
Chris Gamrat, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2021, In: Educational Technology Research and Development

Mobile Augmented Reality in the Backyard
Heather Zimmerman, Susan Land, Katie Grills, Yu Chen Chiu, Lillyanna Faimon, Lucy McClain, Jeff Williams, 2021, In: ISLS Annual Meeting 2021 Reflecting the Past and Embracing the Future - 15th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2021

2020

Families’ imaginations in a meteorology workshop
Yu Chen Chiu, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Epistemic agency shifts between children and parents during inventing with robotics at museum-based makerspace
Yong Ju Jung, Devon Purington Whalen, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Mobile eye-tracking for research in diverse educational settings
Yong Ju Jung, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Koraly Pérez-Edgar, Oct 20 2020, In: Research Methods in Learning Design and Technology

Visualizing qualitative data
Yong Ju Jung, Jaclyn Dudek, Shulong Yan, Marcela Borge, Soo Hyeon Kim, Jian Liao, Benjamin Rydal Shapiro, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Assessment of creativity during family engineering workshops in informal learning environments
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Collaborative idea exchange and material tinkering influence families’ creative engineering practices and products during engineering programs in informal learning environments
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2020, In: Information and Learning Science

Supporting Observing-on-the-Move with Proximity-Based Technology
Susan M. Land, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Chris Millet, Gi Woong Choi, 2020, In: Visitor Studies

Family learning and sense-making in astronomy
Jennifer Scudder, Heather Toomey-Zimmerman, Michele Crowl, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

What does computer science and maker education look like in 2030?
David Weintrop, Gi Woong Choi, Adam Maltese, Mike Tissenbaum, Janet B. Fofang, Margaret Walton, Janet Walkoe, Jill Scott, Yong Ju Jung, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, David DeLiema, Maggie Dahn, Soo Hyeon Kim, Andrea Copeland, Jing Yang, Amber Simpson, Peter Knox, Jungsun Kim, Monica M. Chan, Nathan Holb..., 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

Design conjectures for place-based science learning about water
Heather T. Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Katharine Grills, Yu Chen Chiu, Yong Ju Jung, Jeffrey Williams, 2020, In: 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

2019

Emerging and developing situational interest during children's tablet-mediated biology learning activities at a nature center
Yong Ju Jung, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Jul 2019, In: Science Education

Understanding the practices and the products of creativity
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Zimmerman, Jun 12 2019, In: Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, IDC 2019

Family connections to local science issues
Lucy R. McClain, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Apr 3 2019, In: International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement

Discussion prompts to support family engagement in science
Heather Zimmerman, Zachary A. McKinley, Soo Hyeon Kim, Katharine E. Grills, Jun 12 2019, In: Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Interaction Design and Children, IDC 2019

Sociomaterial Configurations and Resources Supporting Observations in Outdoor Learning
Heather Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Jan 1 2019, In: Emergent Practices and Material Conditions in Learning and Teaching with Technologies

Supporting children’s outdoor science learning with mobile computers
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Chrystal Maggiore, Chris Millet, Oct 2 2019, In: Learning, Media and Technology

2018

Investigating children's deep learning of the tree life cycle using mobile technologies
Gi Woong Choi, Susan M. Land, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Oct 2018, In: Computers in Human Behavior

A Methodological Case Study with Mobile Eye-Tracking of Child Interaction in a Science Museum
Yong Ju Jung, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Koraly Pérez-Edgar, Jun 15 2018, In: TechTrends

Epistemic agency in an environmental sciences watershed investigation fostered by digital photography
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jennifer L. Weible, Apr 10 2018, In: International Journal of Science Education

2017

Collaborative argumentation during a making and tinkering afterschool program with squishy circuits
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jan 1 2017, In: Making a Difference

Towards a stronger conceptualization of the maker mindset
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Oct 21 2017, In: Proceedings of FABLEARN 2017

Collaborative sense making in a tablet-mediated informal, place-based learning environment
Susan M. Land, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Chrystal Maggiore, Soo Hyeon Kim, Jessica Briskin, Jan 1 2017, In: Making a Difference

Extending and enriching science practices
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jennifer L. Weible, Jan 1 2017, In: Reframing Science Teaching and Learning

Integrating mobile computers into informal science education
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Jan 1 2017, In: Preparing Informal Science Educators

Learning in and about rural places
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jennifer L. Weible, Mar 1 2017, In: Cultural Studies of Science Education

2016

Educational affordances of tablet-mediated collaboration to support distributed leadership in small group outdoor activities
Gi Woong Choi, Susan M. Land, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2016, In: 12th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2016

Teacher learning journeys
Chris Gamrat, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Mar 22 2016, In: Digital Badges in Education

Technology-mediated engagement with nature
Lucy R. McClain, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Oct 1 2016, In: International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement

Science curiosity in learning environments
Jennifer L. Weible, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, May 23 2016, In: International Journal of Science Education

Designing outdoor learning spaces with ibeacons
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Chrystal Maggiore, Robert W. Ashley, Chris Millet, Jan 1 2016, In: 12th International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2016

Family learning outdoors
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Lucy R. McClain, Aug 1 2016, In: Journal of Research in Science Teaching

Using augmented reality to support children’s situational interest and science learning during context-sensitive informal mobile learning
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Yong Ju Jung, May 1 2016, In: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

2015

An online badging system supporting educators' STEM learning
Chris Gamrat, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jan 1 2015, In: CEUR Workshop Proceedings

Socio-technical dimensions of an outdoor mobile learning environment
Susan M. Land, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Apr 2015, In: Educational Technology Research and Development

Tree Investigators
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Lucy R. McClain, Michael R. Mohney, Gi Woong Choi, Fariha H. Salman, Jan 2 2015, In: International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement

Using augmented reality to support observations about trees during summer camp
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Michael R. Mohney, Gi Woong Choi, Chrystal Maggiore, Soo Hyeon Kim, Yong Ju Jung, Jaclyn Dudek, Jun 21 2015, In: Proceedings of IDC 2015

2014

Personalized workplace learning
Christopher Gamrat, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jaclyn Dudek, Kyle Peck, 2014, In: British Journal of Educational Technology

Editor's Notes
Susan M. Land, Heather T. Zimmerman, Jan 2014, In: TechTrends

Research and design of learning experiences for families
Megan Luce, Jessica Umphress, Philip Bell, Maureen Callanan, Catherine Eberbach, Shelley Goldman, Jennifer Jipson, Amber Levinson, Elyse Litvack, Lucy R. McClain, Sinem Siyahhan, Carrie Tzou, Tanner Vea, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, 2014, In: Proceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS

Prior Experiences Shaping Family Science Conversations at a Nature Center
Lucy R. McClain, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Nov 1 2014, In: Science Education

Collective engagement in a technologically mediated science learning experience
Fariha H. Salman, Heather T. Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Jan 1 2014, In: Proceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS

Connecting out-of-school learning to home
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Christopher Gamrat, Simon Hooper, Mar 2014, In: TechTrends

Exploring the outdoors together
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Lucy Richardson McClain, Jun 2014, In: Studies in Educational Evaluation

Facilitating Place-Based Learning in Outdoor Informal Environments with Mobile Computers
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Jan 2014, In: TechTrends

Intergenerational learning at a nature center
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Lucy Richardson McClain, Mar 2014, In: Environmental Education Research

Supporting conceptual understandings outdoors
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Brian J. Seely, Michael R. Mohney, Gi Woong Choi, Lucy R. McClain, 2014, In: Proceedings of International Conference of the Learning Sciences, ICLS

Where Young People See Science
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Philip Bell, Jan 2 2014, In: International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement

2013

Mobile technologies as mindtools for augmenting observations and reflections in everyday informal environments
Susan Mary Land, Brian K. Smith, Heather Zimmerman, Jan 1 2013, In: Learning, Problem Solving, and Mindtools

Mobile Technologies as Mindtools for Augmenting Observations and Reflections in Everyday Informal Environments
Susan M. Land, Brian K. Smith, Heather Zimmerman, Jan 1 2013, In: Learning, Problem Solving, and Mindtools

Examining high school students' learning from collaborative projects related to alternative energy
Jennifer L. Weible, Heather Zimmerman, Oct 31 2013, In: Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL

Supporting science practices outdoors with mobile devices
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Lucy R. McClain, Michael R. Mohney, Gi Woong Choi, Fariha H. Salman, 2013, In: Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL

Understanding How Families Use Magnifiers During Nature Center Walks
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Lucy Richardson McClain, Michele Crowl, Oct 2013, In: Research in Science Education

2012

Participating in science at home
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, May 2012, In: Journal of Research in Science Teaching

2010

Understanding families' educational decision-making along extended learning pathways
Leah A. Bricker, Heather Zimmerman, Suzanne Reeve, Philip Bell, Brigid Barron, 2010, In:

Family sense-making practices in science center conversations
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Suzanne Reeve, Philip Bell, May 2010, In: Science Education

Technologies and tools to support informal science learning
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, David E. Kanter, Kirsten Ellenbogen, Leilah Lyons, Steven J. Zuiker, Tom Satwicz, Sandra Toro Martell, Matthew Brown, Sherry Hsi, Brian K. Smith, Molly Phipps, Robert Jordan, Jennifer Weible, Chris Gamrat, Ben Loh, Joyce Ma, Dec 1 2010, In:

2008

Mapping the learning pathways and processes associated with the development of expertise and learner identities
Leah A. Bricker, Philip Bell, Suzanne Reeve, Brigid Barron, Nichole Pinkard, Kimberly Gomez, Caitlin Kennedy Martin, Akili Lee, Mark Chen, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Carrie Tzou, Giovanna Scalone, Christopher Hoadley, Sameer Honwad, Véronique Mertl, Laurie McCarthy, Reed Stevens, Sheldon Levias, Noa..., Dec 1 2008, In: Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL

2006

Understanding the cultural foundations of children's biological knowledge
Philip Bell, Leah A. Bricker, Tiffany R. Lee, Suzanne Reeve, Heather Zimmerman Toomey, 2006, In: ICLS 2006 - International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Proceedings

2023

Serendipitous collective creativity at family making programs in public libraries
Soo Hyeon Kim, Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Jun 2023, In: Thinking Skills and Creativity

Mobile augmented reality supporting families’ immersive collaborative learning
Heather Toomey Zimmerman, Susan M. Land, Lillyanna Faimon, Yu Chen Chiu, 2023, In: International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning

Dr. Heather Toomey Zimmerman

Areas of Expertise

Websites

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2023

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