Maria Varelas

Maria Varelas is Professor of Science Education and Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where she co-coordinates the PhD in Mathematics and Science Education and MEd in Science Education programs. She founded and directed the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Varelas earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, M.S. in Education from the University of Rochester, and B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Athens, Greece.

Her research centers on equity and social justice in science education, particularly in urban K-12 settings. Using qualitative, phenomenological, narrative, multimodal discourse, ethnographic, and arts-based methods, she investigates how educators can create transformative learning spaces that leverage minoritized students' assets, agency, and voice. Her work challenges restrictive structures while scaffolding knowledge creation for students' futures and communities.

Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a pronounced shift toward embodied and arts-integrated approaches, including science theater and ethnodance, to advance justice-centered science learning. Her scholarship increasingly focuses on identity construction for Latinx and Black students while examining the development of Teachers of Color in urban schools. Over the past decade, her research has evolved from foundational frameworks on content learning to innovative multimodal practices that bridge science education with social justice imperatives.

Dr. Varelas' scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow, President’s Executive Leadership Program, University of Illinois System (2024)
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2019)
• Silver Circle Award for Excellence in Teaching, UIC (2013)
• Distinguished Researcher of the Year, UIC (2012)
• University Scholar, University of Illinois (2008)
• Great Cities Institute Faculty Scholar, UIC (2008)
• Award for Excellence in Teaching, UIC (2006)
• Silver Circle Award for Excellence in Teaching, UIC (2003)
• Teaching Recognition Program Award, UIC (2003)
• Outstanding Dissertation Award, American Educational Research Association (1993)

As co-coordinator of doctoral and master's programs, she mentors graduate students in science education research. She has secured over $12 million in research funding, primarily from NSF, including major grants like "Science Education for Excellence and Equity in Chicago" (SEEEC) and "Science Learning through Embodied Performances." Her collaborative projects consistently involve Chicago Public Schools and community organizations to develop culturally relevant science curricula.

Dr. Varelas leads the UIC Research on Science Learning Course Team and previously directed the UIC Center for the Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate arts-based methods with science education research.