معرفی
Merryn Cole is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Studies (Science/STEM Education emphasis) from the University of Kentucky in 2017. Prior to UNLV, she taught high school science and college chemistry. Her research focuses on science communication, spatial thinking in STEM education, and project-based instruction. She has been funded by the NV Department of Education and NASA NV Space Grant.
- Education: Ph.D. in Educational Studies (Science/STEM Education), University of Kentucky, 2017.
- Teaching Experience: High school science and college chemistry.
Her research interests include the impact of outreach activities on audiences, the role of spatial thinking in STEM learning, and the design of project-based curricula. Recent work emphasizes middle school students' understanding of engineering and astronomy concepts. She has published in journals like Education Sciences and Physical Review Physics Education Research, and co-authored a Springer Nature book on project-based instruction (2019).
Her articles highlight trends in science education, such as inquiry-based lessons, curriculum design, and spatial-scientific reasoning. She advocates for bridging classroom and informal science environments to enhance STEM engagement.
- Funding: NV Department of Education, NASA NV Space Grant.
Merryn collaborates with educational institutions and organizations to develop practical teaching strategies. Her work often explores how teachers implement project-based units and their effects on student learning outcomes. She emphasizes equity in STEM education through contextualized spatial and geometric understanding.
