Jennifer Wilhelm

Jennifer Wilhelm is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in STEM Education at the University of Kentucky's College of Education. She also serves as an engagement and outreach faculty member for the Partnership Institute for Mathematics and Science Education. Holding an M.S. in Physics and a Ph.D. in Mathematics/Science Education, her career spans roles at Texas Tech University and the University of Kentucky, where she was promoted to Full Professor in 2014.

• Education: M.S. in Physics (Michigan State University), Ph.D. in Mathematics/Science Education (University of Texas at Austin)

Dr. Wilhelm specializes in designing inquiry-based, project-enhanced, interdisciplinary learning environments. Her research examines how students integrate science and mathematics concepts through projects involving motion, sound waves, lunar phases, and spatial geometry. Key themes include contextualized learning, STEM literacy, and teacher professional noticing.

Recent work focuses on aquaponics projects for urban STEM engagement, REU program evaluations, and interdisciplinary approaches to lunar phases education. Her studies often address spatial reasoning, gender/racial differences in learning, and project-based pedagogies.

Scientific awards include the Presidential Academic Achievement Award at Texas Tech University (2009). She contributes to teacher preparation programs and has developed tools like the geometric spatial visualization assessment.