معرفی
Lena Danaia is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Education at Charles Sturt University, where she plays a pivotal role in science and STEM education research and teacher training. Her work spans primary, secondary, and pre-service education contexts, with a strong focus on student engagement, teacher competence, and equitable access to quality science education, especially in regional and remote areas.
Her research interests include:
- Science and Technology Education in primary and secondary schools
- STEM and Astronomy education
- Teachers' confidence and pedagogical practices in investigative science
- Scientific literacy in early years
- Distance and rural education pedagogy
Lena's recent publications reflect a strong trend toward systematic and scoping reviews on STEM integration in Australian schools, scientific literacy in early childhood, and the challenges of delivering STEM education in non-metropolitan contexts. Her work increasingly emphasizes equity, teacher support, and curriculum innovation, often using mixed-methods and collaborative research designs.
Her scientific awards and recognitions include:
- Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Award for Teaching Excellence (2008)
- National Carrick Citation for teaching innovation (2006)
- Multiple faculty and external grants, including ARC Linkage and Toyota Community Trust funding
- Faculty of Education Academic Excellence Awards (2007, 2014)
Lena actively supervises PhD students and leads major research projects, such as the evaluation of the federally funded Little Scientists program and collaborative initiatives in primary science programming. She has secured over $300,000 in research funding and has led evaluations for government and independent school sectors. Her work is deeply connected to professional development, having delivered numerous workshops for teachers and students through CSU’s Future Moves program and Aboriginal Education initiatives.
She is involved in several research networks and collaborations, including Our Solar Siblings and Indigenous Sky Stories, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Astronomy & Earth Sciences Education. Her leadership in cross-institutional projects highlights her national impact in STEM education research and policy.
