Dr. Christine Schnittka is an associate professor of science education in Auburn University’s College of Education with a joint appointment in the College of
Engineering. Her current research involves developing and evaluating engineering
design-based curriculum units that target key science concepts through two
contextual lenses: environmental issues, and traditional hand crafts.
See www.stemteachingkits.com. Her curricula have been used by teachers in over 33
states and 13 countries. Prior to receiving her Ph.D. in science education at the
University of Virginia, Dr. Schnittka was a middle school teacher and administrator
for 10 years, and prior to that, worked as a mechanical engineer and musician. She
teaches elementary and secondary science education classes, and has published her work in journals such as the International Journal of Science Education, the
International Journal of Engineering Education, Advances in Engineering Education, Science & Children, The Science Teacher, and Science Scope. A creative polymath, she likes to spend her free time with a camera in one hand and knitting needles in the other, with a lump of clay in front her her and with a mind full of ideas to explore.
Dr. Schnittka’s webpage: http://www.auburn.edu/~cgs0013
Engineering. Her current research involves developing and evaluating engineering
design-based curriculum units that target key science concepts through two
contextual lenses: environmental issues, and traditional hand crafts.
See www.stemteachingkits.com. Her curricula have been used by teachers in over 33
states and 13 countries. Prior to receiving her Ph.D. in science education at the
University of Virginia, Dr. Schnittka was a middle school teacher and administrator
for 10 years, and prior to that, worked as a mechanical engineer and musician. She
teaches elementary and secondary science education classes, and has published her work in journals such as the International Journal of Science Education, the
International Journal of Engineering Education, Advances in Engineering Education, Science & Children, The Science Teacher, and Science Scope. A creative polymath, she likes to spend her free time with a camera in one hand and knitting needles in the other, with a lump of clay in front her her and with a mind full of ideas to explore.
Dr. Schnittka’s webpage: http://www.auburn.edu/~cgs0013
Dr. Joni Lakin is an Associate Professor of Educational Research, Methods, and Analysis at Auburn University. She studies educational measurement issues, including test validity and fairness in gifted and talented identification, with a particular interest in the accessibility of tests for English learner students. She also studies STEM education and interventions that promote STEM retention along the academic pipeline. Her website is jonilakin.com
Amanda Savrda has a master's degree in secondary science education at Auburn University. Amanda is also a geologist with both her BS and MS in geological sciences. She worked as a field scientist for Exxon-Mobile for six years before deciding to become a science teacher. Amanda worked with Dr. Schnittka on curriculum development for middle school, focusing on ArtBots and Electric RollerCoasters. She currently teaches at Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama.
Sarah Greene has a master's degree in secondary science education at Auburn University. Sarah is a biologist and worked with Dr. Schnittka on curriculum development for middle school, focusing on ArtBots and Electric RollerCoasters. She currently teaches middle school science in Birmingham, Alabama.
Amanda Haynes is a twice graduate of Auburn, currently teaching STEM in northern Alabama. She previously taught in Opelika and Loachapoka, Alabama. She worked with Dr. Schnittka for many years on curriculum development, most recently the Kindergarten Saves the World! curriculum.
Shannon Bales is a PhD student at Auburn University in science education, set to graduate in May 2019. Her research focuses on STEM afterschool programming and teacher professional development. She worked with Dr. Schnittka for many years on curriculum development, most recently the Kindergarten Saves the World! curriculum. She teaches educational technology at Troy University, where she is an Assistant Professor.
Jessica Schnittka is a doctoral student in Social Research Methods at the University of California Los Angeles. Prior to moving to LA, Jess spent three years at a large school district in Colorado conducting program evaluations on district initiatives. Her background is primarily in youth development, and has conducted research in the field of child psychology at both the University of Colorado and the University of Virginia. Her current research examines how to promote equity for underserved populations in STEM by applying measurement and evaluation techniques to group-based learning environments.
Audra Welch has her M.Ed. in science education, and as a graduate assistant, worked with Dr. Schnittka, Belle Brennan, and Amanda Haynes to develop kindergarten STEM curricula. The curricula is based on Dr. Schnittka's Save the Animals Curricula for secondary science. Audra teaches middle school science in Alexander City, Alabama.
Belle Brennan earned her M.Ed. in elementary education, and worked as a graduate assistant with Dr. Schnittka to develop kindergarten STEM curricula. The curricula is based on Dr. Schnittka's Save the Animals Curricula for secondary science. Belle currently teaches kindergarten in Mobile, Alabama.
Tj Nguyen is the Assistant Director of the Southeastern Center of Robotics Education at Auburn University. He earned degrees in mechanical engineering and secondary science education from Auburn University and focuses on spreading STEM literacy throughout the state by helping teachers and school get robotics into the classroom by instructing professional development workshops, hosting robotics competitions, and creating curriculum. He first worked with Dr. Schnittka on adapting her Save the Animals curriculum into an iBooks format for teachers. Together, he and Dr. Schnittka published a paper on the use of competition to increase motivation at the 2016 NARST conference in Baltimore.
George Turner is a PhD candidate at Auburn University in science education. His research focuses on 6th grade teachers' attitudes towards teaching the origins of the universe . George has worked with Dr. Schnittka for many years on curriculum development, especially researching teacher change after professional development workshops on engineering.
Jackson Moss is a PhD candidate at Auburn University in science education, and is expected to graduate in May, 2019. His research focuses on middle school students' attitude towards animals . Jackson has worked with Dr. Schnittka on curriculum development, especially the Rock-Punzel curriculum. He has developed his own curriculum on animals.
Amal Alenzi earned her PhD in biology education from Auburn University in 2018. Her background is in biology and education. Her current research examines how faculty teach science in Saudi Arabia Universities. She assisted Dr. Schnittka in 2017 with curriculum development for middle school students.
Natalie Stephens has her B.S. in chemical engineering from Auburn. She was awarded an Undergraduate Research Fellowship in 2016 and worked with Dr. Schnittka developing curriculum for an augmented reality app that makes chemical molecules appear in 3D so they can be seen from all angles. She conducted research in a high school setting and found out that the app helped certain students more than others.
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Njeri Bennett is is an undergraduate student in industrial engineering at Auburn. She was awarded an Undergraduate Research Fellowship in 2017 and is working with Dr. Schnittka developing curriculum for students enrolled in an afterschool program to help them develop more positive conceptions of what scientists and engineers do.
Jacob Helf earned his M.Ed. in science education in 2018. As a graduate assistant working with Dr. Schnittka, he helped to develop spatial thinking curriculum for students and teachers to use. Jacob has his interdisciplinary studies undergraduate degree from Auburn, focused on physics, hunger studies, and sustainability. He currently teaches physical science at Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama.
Che Ka earned his B.S. in biological sciences from Auburn University. He is a graduate assistant working with Dr. Schnittka on craft-based STEM curricula, and is pursuing his M.Ed. in science education. Che is multi-talented, and enjoys photographing indigenous species in Alabama.