CV and Background
University Attended
Degree Granted
Award Date
Luther College
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Minnesota State University
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University of Wisconsin, Madison
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Union Institute and University
B.A. Biology
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M.S. Experiential Education
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M.A. Educational Policy Studies
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Ph.D. Experiential Education
1984
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1986
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1988
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1992
Employer
Position Held
Dates
Minnesota State University
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Department of Educational Leadership
Professor
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Coordinator, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program
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Coordinator, Experiential Education Graduate Program
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Department Chair
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Associate Professor
2003-2020
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2009-2017
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2002-2008
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2003-2006
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2001-2003
Ferris State University
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Department of Leisure Studies and Wellness
Department Coordinator
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Associate Professor
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Assistant Professor
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Challenge Course Coordinator
2000-2001
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1998-2001
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1996-1998
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1998-2001
University of New Hampshire
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Department of Kinesiology
Assistant Professor
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Outdoor Education
1992-1996
Edgewood College
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Department of Education
Instructor
1989-1992
Rogers Memorial Hospital
Recreation Therapist
1986-1989
Upward Bound
Teacher, High School Students
1985-1986
Luther College
Teaching Associate, Physical Education Department
1983-1984
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Biological Technician
1980-1981
Wurdinger, S., Newell, R., & Kim En Sun (2020). Measuring life skills, hope, and academic growth at project-
based learning schools. Improving Schools.
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Wurdinger, S., Newell, R., & Kim En Sun (2019). Project based learning schools that are assessing more than
just academic achievement. The Charter Schools Resource Journal, 14(1), 4-26
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Wurdinger, S. (2018). How project-based learningis helping change the status quo. The Charter Schools Resource Journal, 12(2), 38-55.
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Wurdinger, S. & Allison, P. (2017). Faculty perceptions and use of experiential learning in higher education.
Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge Society. 13(1), 27-38.
Meyer, K. & Wurdinger, S. (2016). Students’ perceptions of life skill development in project based learning schools. Journal of Educational Issues. 2(1), 94-114.
Wurdinger, S. & Qureshi, M. (2015). Enhancing college students’ life skills through project based learning. Innovative Higher Education. 40 (3), 279-286
Wurdinger, S. (2014). Teaching creativity. Minnesota School Boards Association Journal. 67 (1), 22-24.
Wurdinger, S. & Enloe, W. (2011). Cultivating life skills at a project based charter school. Improving Schools. 14 (1), 84-96
Wurdinger, S. & Rudolph, J. (2009). A different type of success: teaching important life skills through project based learning. Improving Schools. 12 (2), 117-132
Wurdinger, S. & Rudolph, J. (2009) Teaching that promotes student learning: five experiential approaches. Journal of Teaching and Learning. 6 (1), 1-13
Hugg, R. & Wurdinger, S. (2007) A practical and progressive pedagogy for project based service learning. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 19 (2). 191-204.
Wurdinger, S., Haar, J., Hugg, R., & Bezon, J. (2007). A qualitative study using project based learning in a mainstream middle school. Improving Schools. 10 (2), 150-161.
Allison, P.A. & Wurdinger, S.D. (2005). Understanding the power, promise and peril of the experiential learning process. Teacher Education and Practice. 18 (4), 386-399.
Wurdinger, S.D. and Paxton, T. (2003). Using multiple levels of experience to promote autonomy in adventure education students. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 3 (1), 41-48.
Wurdinger, S., McDermott, C., Harell, K., Smith, H. (2020). Empowering our students for the future: encouraging self-direction and lifelong learning. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
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Wurdinger, S. D. (2018). Changing the status quo: Courage to challenge the education system. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
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Wurdinger, S. D. (2017). Turning you place into projects. In D. Shannon and J. Galle (Eds.) Interdisciplinary approaches to pedagogy and place-based education. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan.
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Wurdinger, S.D. (2016) The power of project based learning: Helping students develop important life skills.
Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
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Wurdinger, S. & Enloe, W. (2016). The Damaging Effects of No Child Left Behind on the Learning Process and Schools that Have Risen Above it All. In W. Enloe, (Ed.) Deeper learning, deeper leading: Inside Avalon school. St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Tertium Quid Press.
Wurdinger, S. & Enloe, W. (2016). Cultivating life skills at a project based charter school. In W. Enloe, (Ed.) Deeper learning, deeper leading: Inside Avalon school. St. Paul, MN: Tertium Quid Press.
Wurdinger, S.D. (2012) Time for action: Stop teaching to the test and start teaching skills.
Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
Wurdinger, S. D. and Carlson, J. A. (2010) Teaching for experiential learning: five approaches that work. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.
Wurdinger, S. & Rapparlie, L. (2007). Adventure Sports: Rock Climbing. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.
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Wurdinger, S. & Rapparlie, L. (2007). Adventure Sports: Ice climbing. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.
Wurdinger, S. & Rapparlie, L. (2007). Adventure Sports: Kayaking. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.
Wurdinger, S. & Rapparlie, L. (2007). Adventure Sports: Mountain Biking. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.
Wurdinger, S.D. (2005). Using experiential learning in the classroom: practical ideas for all educators. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
Wurdinger, S. D. (2004). Experiential learning: why project based learning works. In D. Thomas, W. Enloe, and R. Newell (Eds.). The coolest school in America: how small learning communities are changing everything. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, Inc.
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Invited Speaker: Leadership and You. Luther College, Decorah, IA, March 5, 2020.
Invited Speaker: The Adventure Process. Luther College, Decorah, IA, May 7, 2020.
Invited Speaker: What Students Learn Through the PBL Process. Innovative Schools Network Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI. April 11, 2019.
Invited Speaker: Creating Passion to Learn Through Project Based Learning, The Hague University, Netherlands, October 15, 2018.
Invited Speaker: Challenging the Status Quo: Potential Blind Spots in our Teaching, Penn State, April 3, 2018.
Invited Speaker: The Power of Project Based Learning. Penn State, April 3, 2018.
Courage to Challenge the Status Quo: Blind Spots in Our Teaching, Minnesota Association for Alternative Programs, Mankato, MN, February 8, 2018.
Invited Speaker: Life Skills Research with EdVisions Schools, Ed Expo, St Paul, MN, January 26, 2018.
Panel Guest: Mission Driven Metrics for Reengaging opportunity youth. National Charter School Conference, Washington, DC, June 14, 2017.
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Keynote Speaker: Inspiring student to learn through experiential learning. Inver Hills Community College, Minneapolis, MN, May 11, 2017.
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Invited Speaker: Engaging Your Students at The Highest Level, Institute for Pedagogy in the Liberal Arts, Oxford College at Emory University, Covington, GA, May 9-10, 2017.
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Invited Guest: Charter School Policy Issues with the President of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Washington, DC, March 3, 2017
Project-Based Learning: A Powerful Method for Everyone. Minnesota Association for Alternative Programs, Mankato, MN, February 9, 2017
Invited Speaker: Project Based Learning in Higher Education, University of Pikeville, Pikeville, KY, October 28, 2016
Keynote Speaker: Inspiring Students Through Experiential Learning, Northeast Higher Education District Professional Development Day, Hibbing, MN. September 30, 2016
Invited Speaker: Making Higher Education Meaningful: Research and Practice in Experiential Learning. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland. May 13, 2016
Invited Speaker: Collaborative Inquiry, The Wharton Leadership School, The University of Pennsylvania, April 5, 2016.
Keynote Speaker: The Power of Experiential Learning: From Discussion to Field Experience, International Sun Conference, University of Texas El Paso, March 17, 2016
Invited Speaker: Inspiring Students to Learn Through Experiential Learning, Oxford College of Emory University, Covington, GA, September17, 2015.
Invited Speaker: Building Critical Thinking Skills Through Project Based Learning, Academics Impressions National Webcast, Mankato, MN, April 2015.
Invited Speaker: The Power of Project Based Learning, Academic Impressions Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, March, 2015
Time for Action: Using Innovative Approaches to Learning, Minnesota Association for Alternative Programs, Rochester, MN, February 14, 2013.
Enhancing Academic and Life Skills Through Experiential learning, Minnetonka Institute, Minneapolis, MN, July 20, 2012.
Invited Speaker: Implementing Project Based Learning, Lakes Area Charter School, Osakis, MN, March 8, 2012
Invited Speaker: Challenging the Status Quo in Education, Luther College Leadership Studies program, Luther College, Decorah, IA, March 1, 2012
Invited Speaker: Life Skills at EdVisions Schools, EdVisions Summer Institute, Henderson, MN, July 2011
Invited Speaker: Charter School Research, Center for School Change, St Paul MN, June 2011
Invited Speaker: Facilitating the Q-Comp Process, Minnesota New Country School, Henderson, MN October, 2010
Invited Speaker: Project Based Learning Charter School Survey Research, Education Evolving, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota, February, 2009
Minnesota New Country School Strategic Planning, Minnesota New Country School, Henderson. Minnesota, March 26, 2009
Invited Speaker: Stop Talking and Start Doing: Why We Need to Mainstream Experiential Learning, Heartland Association for Experiential Education Conference, Williams Bay, WI, March 2008
Current Trends in Experiential Education Panel, Heartland Association for Experiential Education Conference. Williams Bay, Wisconsin, March 2008
Experiential Learning and Standardized Tests, Minnesota Association for Alternative Programs, St Paul, Minnesota, February, 2008.
Convener: Progressive Educators Conference, Mankato, Minnesota, September 2006
Invited Speaker: Problem Solving Using Project Based Learning, Dakota Meadows Middle School, Mankato, MN, August, 2006
Power, peril, and promise of experiential learning, International Consortium for Experiential Learning Conference, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, England, July 2006
Invited Speaker: Experiential learning and educational reform, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, July 2006
Project Based Learning Assessment Techniques, Dakota Meadows, Mankato, MN, January, 2006
Integrating Project Based Learning at a Mainstream Middle School, Mankato, MN, August 2005
Invited Speaker: Exploring experiential learning, Woodlands Outdoor Centre, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, June 2004.