Laura Rodriguez

Laura Rodriguez is an Associate Professor in the Education Department at Eastern Connecticut State University, specializing in K-12 science education. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut (2020), with a dissertation focusing on STEM identity in intergenerational informal learning. With over 23 years of K-12 teaching experience across four U.S. states and Peace Corps service as a fisheries extensionist in Ecuador, her career bridges formal and informal educational spaces.

Her research emphasizes STEM identity development, particularly in underserved populations. As lead researcher on an NSF S-STEM grant (Beyond the Curriculum: A Learning Community for Success), she supports low-income STEM majors through scholarships and community-building initiatives. She also consults on similar grants at the University of St. Joseph.

• Research Interests: STEM identity, science teacher education, K-12 engineering education
• Teaching Philosophy: Socially interactive learning rooted in student agency and cultural capital
• International Experience: Pre- and post-doctoral work in Thailand and Japan via the Pacific Rim Engineering Mitigation Program

Her interdisciplinary approach is evident through collaborations with faculty across disciplines and international partnerships. Rodriguez’s work consistently integrates community engagement and equity-focused strategies into STEM education initiatives.