About Us

Dr. Eric Nolan is the founder and managing director of Oracle Inn Consulting. He is a trained researcher in educational leadership and reform, having applied his expertise in Arizona, California, and now Pennsylvania. He created this organization with a simple purpose: to cultivate a lasting model of education that examines issues that should matter to all of us: climate change, sustainability, justice, health, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.

His current research has two main focuses: 1) developing classroom practices that cultivate transformational teaching and learning related to complex socioscientific issues, and 2) reforming educational structures through organizational analysis that promotes networked improvement communities. His work aims to improve educational systems, supporting an informed citizenry who see themselves as active participants and change agents in the betterment of society and the natural world.

Recent publications

• Nolan, E., Johnson, S., Hayes, K., Harris, E., & Garbesi, K. (2025). Interdisciplinary learning goals for 21st-century climate education. Climate Literacy in Education, 3(3).

• Nolan, E., & Zeidler, D. (2025). Cultivating critical reflection through socioscientific perspectives. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 7(16), 1-27.

• Nolan, E., & Zeidler, D. (2025). Transformational learning for complex socioscientific issues. Research in Science Education, 55, 771-791.

• Nolan, E., Rubino-Hare, L., & Whitworth, B. (2019). A lesson in geospatial inquiry. The Science Teacher, 87(4), 26–33.

Upcoming publications

• Nolan, E., & Korb, M. (2026). Initiating districtwide support for climate education using a Networked Improvement Community approach. [Manuscript in preparation]. Institute for STEM Education, California State University, East Bay.

• Harris, E., Hayes, K., & Nolan, E. (2026). Facilitating school-wide climate justice education through an ecological theory lens. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Institute for STEM Education, California State University, East Bay.

• Nolan, E., Newton, M., & Zeidler, D. (2026). Socioscientific issues as transformative praxis in environmental education. [In press]. California State University, East Bay.

Evaluation and reporting for recent projects

• Department of Education Grant for Hayward Promise Neighborhoods (HPN). Co-designing and executing a research plan for Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, contributing towards equitable access to a cradle-to-career continuum of education services and support.

• California Science Partnership Grant for Science Partnership for Global Change Education (SPGCE). Providing critical evaluation services for SPGCE, a multi-year program aimed at enhancing middle-grade teachers' science and pedagogical content knowledge in the context of Global Change. Focusing on student civic engagement and advocacy, as well as strategies for supporting diverse learners in science classrooms.

• National Science Foundation Grant for Climate Empowerment Learning Initiative (CELI). Conducting research in collaboration with high school and middle school teachers in Hayward, California, with the aim of advancing climate justice education delivery. Leading a multidisciplinary research team in data collection and analysis, involving focus group and individual interviews, surveys, and participant observation. Assuming additional responsibilities, including research design, NSF grant reporting, mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, presenting findings at environmental education conferences, and contributing to teacher professional development programs.

• National Science Foundation Grant for Science Communities of Practice Partnership Project (SCOPP). Playing a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration between ten school districts in Alameda County, California, with a focus on improving science education for elementary teachers and students. Conducting extensive data collection and analysis and designing research instruments. Contributing to NSF grant reporting, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and establishing strong networks between educational stakeholders. Coordinating science partnerships with the County of Alameda's Office of Education and local elementary schools to enhance science education.

• National Science Foundation Grant for Power of Data. Managed and conducted research for a national professional development project that integrated geospatial technology into science education. Oversaw data management and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) for a significant participant group, including facilitators, teachers, and students. Played an integral role in the publication process, coordinating and communicating with all stakeholders. Made significant contributions to research strategies and the project's overall success.

CV available upon request

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