The Project Team

Project Director

Dr. Christine M. Cunningham, Vice President of Research & Educator Resource Development, has been developing science and engineering curriculum, designing and offering teacher professional development programs, and conducting research and assessment related to the learning and teaching of science and engineering for over fifteen years. Her projects focus on making science and engineering more accessible to marginalized populations, especially women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities. She is particularly interested in the ways that the teaching and learning of engineering and science can change to include and benefit from a more diverse population. Christine received a joint Bachelors and Masters degree in Biology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Science Education from Cornell University. Curriculum vitae. Short Biography.

Content Development Director

Kate Hester has over ten years experience as a science and math educator in both middle and high school where she developed original science curriculum and offered professional development to teachers. Her extensive background in both formal and informal education settings allows her to creatively integrate hands-on learning experiences into formal curriculum. Kate received her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of New Hampshire and an M.A.T. in Science Education from Cornell University.

Professional Development Director

Sharlene Yang has ten plus years of experience as both a science educator and researcher includes teaching high school biology, environmental outreach education and research in biopsychology. Sharlene received her B.A. in Biology and Psychology from Cornell University and her M.S. in Biopsychology from the University of Michigan. She will receive her M.A.T. in Science Education from Tufts University in 2008.

Professional Development Resources Consultant

Carolyn DeCristofano, M. Ed., served as EiE’s Professional Development Director from 2005-2008. Although her work in science, engineering, and multi-disciplinary education has been varied-- including curriculum, exhibit, and program development, educational research and writing children’s books--her efforts have always focused on creating empowering experiences for K-8 teachers and their students. Carolyn earned her B.A. in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University and her Masters in Education in Interdisciplinary Curriculum from Lesley University.

Assessment and Evaluation Specialist

Dr. Cathy Lachapelle currently leads the assessment efforts for the EiE curriculum, designing assessment instruments, pilot and field testing them, and conducting research on how children use the EiE materials. She has worked on a number of research and evaluation projects related to K-16 engineering education. Cathy received her S.B. in cognitive science from MIT, and her Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University.

Senior Curriculum and Research Assistants

Melissa Higgins is a senior curriculum and research assistant for the project. Melissa received her B.A. in Architectural Studies from Connecticut College. She has worked at the Museum of Science as an exhibit interpreter.

Kristin Sargianis is a senior curriculum and research assistant for the project. Kristin received her B.S. in Biology from Cornell University. She has worked as a research assistant conducting scientific research on ecological and marine systems.

Ben Schersten is a senior curriculum and research assistant for the project. Ben received his B.S. in Biology and Elementary Education from Saint Michael's College. He was an elementary school teacher in Vermont for four years teaching pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and fifth grade before joining the EiE project.

Senior Research and Evaluation Assistant

Gloria Tower is a senior research and evaluation assistant for the project. Gloria received her B.S. in Psychology from Northeastern University and Master of Social Work from Boston College. She has conducted research and evaluation projects in both the U.S. and India in such areas as women's empowerment, environmentalism, and humanitarian aid.

Research and Evaluation Assistant

Branwen Hardebeck-Durso

Systems Coordinator

Valerie MacEachern

Office Assistants

Justin Poppe

Interns

A number of summer and part-time interns help with the development, editing, revisions, and logistics for the project. These include:

Rebecca Barra
Elissa Chin
Matthew Cohen
Krista Hollis
Sharon Kam
Chad Lewis
Jonathan McLeod
Danielle Miller
Erica Wilson

Previous Members

Mike Arquin, Teacher Educator
Keri Cunningham, Program Assistant
Dick Gladstone, Volunteer
Meredith Knight, Teacher Educator
Lacy Kosier-Sylvia, Program Assistant
Anna Lindgren-Streicher, Research Assistant
Shadia Marhaban, Research Assistant
Jeannette Martin, Illustrator
Araceli Ortiz, Lead Content Developer
Fern Supawanich, Research Assistant
Ellen Takata, Evaluation Assistant
Ruth Wishengrad, Lead Content Developer

Illustrators

Keith Favazza is a freelance illustrator who loves taking a story and bringing it to life! He lives south of Boston with his wife, Lelina, and their three sons, Joseph, Anthony, and Steven.

Ross Sullivan-Wiley is a freelance illustrator and artist. He enjoys creating pictures that entertain and inform. He currently lives in Hartford, Connecticut.

Jenette Martin is a painter and illustrator with works in may collections around the country. She has four children and lives in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Braden Chang is a freelance graphic designer living in the Boston area.

Pilot Teachers

This effort would not be possible without the leadership of our pilot teachers. Pilot teachers are active participants in the development, pilot testing, and review of the lessons and units. They also assist in running the professional development workshops. Engineering is Elementary project pilot teachers are all in Massachusetts and include:

  • Abigail Bannon, Countryside Elementary School, Newton, MA
  • Kristen Blake, Johnson Elementary School, Natick, MA
  • Amy Bride, West Elementary, Andover, MA
  • Jean Facchiano, Silvia School, Fall River, MA
  • Tim Harkins, West Elementary, Andover, MA
  • Robert Imber, Rice Square Elementary School, Worcester, MA
  • Kathleen Murphy-Garcia, Roberts Elementary School, Medford, MA
  • Cheryl Sanderson, Summer Street School, Lynnfield, MA
  • Pat Slater, Barbieri School, Framingham, MA
  • Stephanie Wilkins, Odyssey Day School, Wakefield, MA
  • Nancy Yocom de Romero, Barbieri School, Framingham, MA
  • Caitlin Young, Horace Mann Laboratory School, Salem, MA

National Field Site Liaisons and Partners

National field testing is lead by partners at four educational organizations around the country. The national field site liaisons and organizations include:

  • Michele Crowl, South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL
  • Greg Pepek, Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach, CA
  • Tamara Pepek, Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach, CA
  • Erik Russell, Falcon District #49, Colorado School District
  • Maija Sedzielarz, Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

Project Evaluators

The EiE project is currently working with two external evaluation firms to gauge the success of our curricular materials and professional development programs.

  • Campbell-Kibler Inc. is conducting an external evaluation of the development of our curriculum materials.
  • Davis Square Research Associates is conducting an external evaluation of a professional development program.