People
Current Lab Members and Affiliates
Students:
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Nessrine Machaka (she/her/hers)
Ph.D. student, Science Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign I am a 2nd year international Ph.D. student in the Math, Science, and Engineering Education program at the Department of Curriculum & Instruction - College of Education at UIUC. Alongside my research with Dr. Krist, I am a research assistant in the T(CA)2 project. I completed my B.A. in Math and Science Education and M.A. in Educational Psychology (School Guidance and Counseling) at the American University of Beirut in my home country, Lebanon. My research interest is in STEM teacher learning and classroom dynamics. Specifically, I am interested in how science teachers support students' sensemaking and help create meaningful learning experiences. |
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Nicholas (Nick) J. Leonardi (he/him)
PhD Student, Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Nicholas (Nick) J. Leonardi was a middle school science teacher for seven years prior to beginning the PhD program in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Nick earned a Bachelor of Science in Science Education degree from the University of Iowa in 2014 and a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy degree from Northwestern University in 2019. Nick is passionate about designing learning environments that lead to improved outcomes for students underrepresented in STEM fields. |
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Kevin Hall
Info coming soon! |
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Bee Butler
Info coming soon! |
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Jackie Chis
Info coming soon! |
Postdocs:
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Soo-Yean Shim, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Postdoctoral scholar, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign I am a postdoctoral scholar, doing research in science education and teacher education at the University of Illinois. My research interests focus on facilitating science teachers' collaborative learning in professional learning communities and supporting students' productive engagement in scientific practices, such as modeling, argumentation, and explanation. I enjoy collaborating with teachers, researchers, and other educators to enhance meaningful and equitable learning opportunities for diverse students in science classrooms. Contact info: sys7829@illinois.edu |
Affiliates:
Nitasha Mathayas, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Education, Center for Research on Learning and Technology, Indiana University
I am a learning scientist and science educator studying how movement and embodiment helps children participate in scientific practices and makes abstract scientific models more accessible to them. I also design advanced Mixed Reality simulations that leverage students’ kinesthetic resources to build science models. My research draws on theories of embodied cognition, conceptual change, and activity theory to support instructors in leveraging body movement in science instruction. I enjoy collaborating with educators and instructional designers to think through strategies to make science education more inclusive and equitable.
E: nmathaya@iu.edu
W: nitashamathayas.owlstown.net
L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitasha-mathayas/
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Education, Center for Research on Learning and Technology, Indiana University
I am a learning scientist and science educator studying how movement and embodiment helps children participate in scientific practices and makes abstract scientific models more accessible to them. I also design advanced Mixed Reality simulations that leverage students’ kinesthetic resources to build science models. My research draws on theories of embodied cognition, conceptual change, and activity theory to support instructors in leveraging body movement in science instruction. I enjoy collaborating with educators and instructional designers to think through strategies to make science education more inclusive and equitable.
E: nmathaya@iu.edu
W: nitashamathayas.owlstown.net
L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitasha-mathayas/
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Dan Voss (he/him/his)
Physics and chemistry teacher, Dallas Center-Grimes (IA) High School Dan holds a Master's with teaching licensure from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Materials Engineering from Iowa State University, where he was College of Engineering Student Marshal. He was a 2016 Knowles Teaching Fellow and consults on curriculum, professional development, and research. |
Susan Kelly, Ph.D.
Info coming soon!
Info coming soon!
Elizabeth Dyer, Ph.D.
Info coming soon!
Info coming soon!