MMSA Title: Research Team Lead, Research Associate
Hometown: Leominster, MA
Education: Master’s degree in Science Education from Oregon State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowdoin College
Something you’re proud of at MMSA: I’m proud to be a member of the research team
STEM passion area: Environmental Education / Community-Based Environmental Learning
What do you like most about your role at MMSA: I love working at an organization that is dedicated to excellence in STEM education, with a passionate and creative group of colleagues, and a supportive work culture.
What did you do before you worked at MMSA: Prior to joining MMSA, I spent two years as an Island Fellow through the Island Institute and then five years as a Marine Science and Aquaculture educator at Herring Gut Learning Center in Port Clyde, ME. While at Herring Gut, I created and instructed educational programs in partnership with public school teachers and developed a summer work program for young teens called the First Work Experience.
What do you like to do in your free time: I enjoy hiking, gardening, boating, and spending time with my dog Bailey.
What memory from your childhood would you like to share that exemplifies why you do the STEM education related work that you do: My favorite memories from childhood were spending time in the summer along the coast of Maine, knee-deep in tide pools, peering under rocks to find crabs and juvenile lobsters, and exploring the wonder of the natural world. In fourth grade I remember going on a field trip in Boston Harbor where we went on a boat, towed a seine net, took sediment samples, and explored the ecosystem of the harbor. When I was in middle school, I begged my parents to send me to a marine science summer camp I researched online (my first summer camp experience). This combination of experiences, both in-school and out-of-school, and the opportunities encouraged by my family and community fostered a love of the natural environment and the stewardship ethic I hold today. My mission at MMSA is to make sure that all students have access to the same types of experiences that I was fortunate enough to have growing up by studying educational systems and developing supports for educators and communities.
Alexandria’s Bio: Alexandria Brasili joined MMSA in April 2017 as a Research Associate. She holds a Master’s degree in Science Education from Oregon State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowdoin College. Prior to joining MMSA, Alexandria spent two years as an Island Fellow through the Island Institute and then five years as a Marine Science and Aquaculture educator at Herring Gut Learning Center in Port Clyde, ME. While at Herring Gut, she created and instructed educational programs in partnership with public school teachers and developed a summer work program for young teens called the First Work Experience. Her time at Herring Gut showed her how powerful cross-sector partnerships between traditional schools, nonprofit organizations, and other community assets can be for providing students with high quality STEM education experiences.
In her role as a Research Associate at MMSA, she is excited to work with the MMSA staff to conduct research and evaluation studies and support the organization’s various programs. Alex lives in midcoast Maine.
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Phone: (207) 626-3230 x115
Email: all emails are first initial last name at mmsa.org
Projects:
Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine
PeBLES2
Teach ME Outside
WeatherBlur
Publications:
Cian, H., & Brasili, A. (2024). Rural Elementary Teachers’ Computational Thinking Self-Efficacy Through Community-Based Citizen Science. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/1046560X.2024.2375843
Miller‐Rushing, A., & Brasili, A. (2024). Teaching computational thinking in grade school requires “just right” individual teacher support. School Science and Mathematics.
Brasili, A., Kermish-Allen, R., & Breus, S. (2022). Using a statewide landscape analysis to inform fieldwide supports for environmental learning programs. Environmental Education Research, 1-19.
Brasili, A. & Kermish-Allen, R. (2020). “Connecting Learning Through Citizen Science in the Classroom, Community, and Online.” Connected Science Learning, 2(2).
Brasili, A., & Allen, S. (2019). Beyond the Webinar: Dynamic Online STEM Professional Development. Afterschool Matters, 29, 9-16.
