Current Projects

TEACHING SCIENCE OUTDOOR URBAN PARTNERSHIPS

I am currently a postodoctoral research associate on the Teaching Science Outdoors - Urban Partnerships project at Michigan State University. Using virtual and face-to-face professional development, we support urban elementary teachers in teaching science in their schoolyards in culturally responsive, place-based ways. Presented at North American Association for Environmental Education Research Symposium and Conference 2020, NARST 2021 and 2022. 

THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IDENTITY

With Susan Caplow from the University of Montevallo, we are conducting a scoping review of research that addresses both science and environmental identity, analyzing how they frame the two as related, and making recommendations for further research and practice. Presented at NAAEE Research Symposium in 2022. In review at Environmental Education Research.

PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE STEM LEARNING ECOSYSTEM

With Gail Richmond and Eleanor Kenimer from Michigan State University, we are conducting an interview study with educators and administrators of informal science learning sites to learn about how they engage with other parts of the STEAM learning ecosystem, and seeking to understand what are common barriers and what supports productive partnerships. Presented at ESERA 2023.

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE SUPPORTING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN PD

With Gail Richmond and Grace Tukurah from Michigan State University and Tali Tal from Technion University in Israel, we are examining how the three dimensions of a community of practice (common endeavor, mutual engagement, and shared repertoire) make space for teachers to raise issues of social justice in an outdoor science professional development program. In review at Cultural Studies of Science Education.

CLIMATE CHANGE IN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS

With Maggie Demarse from Michigan State University and Anna Pshenichny-Mamo from Technion University in Israel, we are examining how climate change is represented in natural history museums in the U.S. and Israel, from their interpretive text to educator interactions with visitors. Presented at NARST 20223.