Gemma B. Bartha
Gemma B. Bartha
Assistant Professor of Biology
- Master of Science, Nova Southeastern University, Oceanographic Center, Dania Beach, Fla., 2009. Thesis: Abundance and Site Fidelity of Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) off the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia, Canada using Photo-Identification Methodology
- Bachelor of Science, Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Fla., 2006
Gemma Bartha is a full-time program track faculty member with a 24-credit academic teaching load. She teaches courses primarily in the Department of Biology/Chemistry, serving STEM majors (Biology, Physician Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Health Science), with experience in both lab and lecture settings. She has been teaching at Springfield College since 2010. Primarily, her research is in pedagogy and student success.
Courses Taught
- BIOL 264/266: Flora and Fauna (Lecture and Lab)
- BIOL 270/271: Plant Biology (Lecture and Lab)
- BIOL 124: Introduction to Field Research (previously known as Bioscience II Lab)
- BIOL 123: Introduction to Bench Research (previously known as Bioscience I Lab)
- SCSM 101: First Year Seminar
- BIOL 101/102: Basic Concepts of Biology (Lecture and Lab)
Research Interests
- Pedagogy
- Aquaponics
- Population Ecology
Selected Works
Publications
- Using a Semester Long Theme to Build Connections of Big Concepts. Advances in Biology Laboratory Education 42: https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v42.art18. June 2021
- Stepping outside the classroom: A different approach to estimating populations. Tested Studies for Laboratory Teaching 33. Proceedings of the 33rd Workshop/Conference of the Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE). January 2012
- Population Size and Site Fidelity of North Atlantic Minke Whales (Balaenoptera Acutorostrata Acutorostrata) off the Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Bartha, Gemma B., Shannon Gowans, Peter Simards, Michael Tetley, and Edward O. Keith. Aquatic Mammals 37.4: 454-63.doi:10.1578/AM.37.4.2011.454. December 2011
Presentations
- Digital Badges in the LMS: Strengthening Student Confidence and Participation in STEM Courses.Presentation. The New England Faculty Development Consortium (NEFDC) Conference. College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA October 2025
- Encouraging Students to Apply Their Knowledge: How the Melanin Project uses Scaffolding to Build Critical Thinking Skills around Biotechnology, Central Dogma, Evolution and Ecology. Presentation. STEM Technology Conference Northwest Connecticut Community College, Winsted, CT. June 2024
- Using Infographics to Assess and Enforce Student Learning While Reducing Educator Burnout. Presentation. American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE). Marriott Phoenix Airport, Phoenix, AZ November 2023
- Empowering Student Success: Designing Preliminary Online Courses for College-level Biology Education. Presentation. Gemma Bartha, Joseph Kele, Mindi Fried. American Society for Microbiology Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE). Marriott Phoenix Airport, Phoenix, AZ. November 2023
- Online Preliminary Course Could Increase Engagement and Retention for Incoming General Biology and Anatomy Undergraduate Students. Poster & Presentation. Gemma Bartha, Joseph Kele. National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference. Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Kansas City, MO. October 2023
- Transforming Lab Reports and Student Assessment to Reduce Educator Fatigue: Enhancing Academic Efficiency and Student Performance. Presentation. The New England Faculty Development Consortium (NEFDC) Conference. College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA October 2023
- Digital Badges as a Tool for Student Learning and Engagement through Mock Micro-Credentialing within a Biology Laboratory. Poster. CTABT half-day workshop: Active Learning: Making Cutting-Edge Technology More Approachable. Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT. February 2023
- Using a Semester Long Theme to Build Connections of Big Concepts. Virtual Presentation. Virtual Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) conference. June 2021
- Albinism gene project highlighting biotechnology, protein synthesis and natural selection. Presentation. Connecticut Science Educators Annual Conference. Heritage Hotel and Conference Center, Southbury, CT. November 2019
- Encouraging Student Engagement through Citizen Science in the Classroom. Presentation. CTABT STEM Conference. Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT. April 2019
