Kathryn Madden

Kathryn Madden, EdD, serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. She holds a BS in Biology from the University of South Carolina Aiken, an MS in Science Education from Montana State University, and an MS in Biological Sciences from Clemson University. Currently pursuing a Doctorate in STEM Education at the University of South Carolina with a Project Based Learning cognate, she maintains active South Carolina Teaching Certification in Biology.

Her research focuses on:

• Fostering science identity through local learning environments
• Plants as foundation species in ecosystems
• Environmental education methodologies
• Coastal ecology impacts on salt marsh ecosystems
• Science literacy development
• Environmental inquiry-based investigations

Dr. Madden teaches diverse courses spanning biology and education programs, emphasizing hands-on, inquiry-based learning that utilizes the local salt marsh environment. Her background as a senior environmental scientist with SAIC, field biologist at Savannah River Ecology Lab, and executive director of environmental non-profits deeply informs her evidence-based teaching approach. She actively participates in local field biology research related to flora and fauna while maintaining her professional certifications.