Sharon Carver

Sharon Carver is a Teaching Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean for Educational Affairs at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). She also serves as Director of the CMU Children’s School and oversees the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Her work bridges developmental and educational psychology, focusing on cognitive task analysis, instructional design, and assessment to enhance deep learning and transfer.

Education:

• A.B. in Psychology with K-12 Biology Teacher Certification, Princeton University
• Ph.D. in Child Development, Carnegie Mellon University

Research Interests: Dr. Carver’s research emphasizes applying cognitive principles to improve teaching and learning. She collaborates with educators to design curricula and assessments that foster meaningful understanding. Her work with the Children’s School integrates university research with practical educational settings. She has spearheaded the redesign of Dietrich College’s undergraduate General Education Program to promote interdisciplinary learning.

Publications: Her work spans laboratory schools, early childhood mathematics, and educational assessment. Recent themes include bridging theory/research/practice, cognitive development in young learners, and leveraging university-school partnerships.

Leadership & Service:

• 32-year Director of CMU Children’s School
• Former Associate Training Director for CMU’s Program in Interdisciplinary Education Research (PIER)
• National panel member for Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Early Mathematics Guide

Labs/Teams: Central to her work is the Children’s School as a living laboratory for educational innovation, connected to local charter/private schools and university researchers.