MMSA Title: STEM Education Specialist in Place-Based Education Research
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Education: I graduated in 2012 with Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington (UNCW). Learning about marine science was so interesting, but I quickly realized that I enjoyed not only researching about it, but also teaching others about what I had learned. As such, from there, I went on to graduate in 2015 with a Master’s of Science in Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Education (EE) and a focus in Coastal Management, also from UNCW. My love of EE stuck, and I went on to get a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from NC State University in 2019. All of my dissertation research and career-centered research has had some connection to the field of EE, and I can honestly say it probably always will.
Something you’re proud of at MMSA: What I am proud of most at MMSA, is MMSA’s dedication to taking rigorous research about STEM education and making it useful for the communities and people who can benefit most from it. As a scientist I am a big believer in conducting research that can be applied and meaningful for our greater society. Getting to work at an organization like MMSA that has that same mission, is incredibly important to me. MMSA recognizes that it takes the educators, community members, scientists, organizations, and politicians working as a unit to help make a difference in our world.
What is your teaching/learning philosophy: I am a big believer that learning happens through interacting with others. As humans we are social beings, and that is also how we learn best. Many of the issues in our world require us working together to come up with solutions – aka interacting with others!
STEM passion area: My STEM passion area is definitely environmental science. It is because of learning about and researching our natural world that I fell in love with nature and the art of science. We can learn so much from not only each other, but the world around us.
What do you like most about your role at MMSA: What I appreciate most about my role at MMSA is that as an organization we respect the values and opinions of others regardless of their titles, education, or degrees. Not all spaces value everyone’s opinion, but I can honestly say MMSA will hear out anyone who wants to share, and that is pretty special in a world where we are already so divided.
Favorite STEM-related memory: Visiting Costa Rica (where my family is from) for the first time. Walking through the rainforests there was the first time that I felt not only like an explorer, but an actual scientist. It also helped my realize that science is all around us, everyday!
What did you do before you worked at MMSA: Before working at MMSA, I was a jointly appointed Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Management and Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education) at Penn State University. I have also spent time working as a formal educator, informal educator, and everything in-between.
What do you like to do in your free time: Going outside in any capacity is a huge player in my free time. Whether that is hiking, camping, taking my dog for a walk, or hanging with friends and loved ones on a porch, I can usually be found outdoors. When I am not outside, I can usually be found with my nose in a book or making something arts and crafts related.
Pronouns: she, her
Email: all emails are first initial last name at mmsa.org
Publications:
Olsen, E.K., Lawson, D.F., McClain, L., & Plummer, J. (2024). Heads, hearts, and hands: A systematic review of empirical studies about eco/climate anxiety and environmental education. Environmental Education Research. DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2024.2315572
Ennes, M., Lawson, D.F., Stevenson, K.T., Peterson, M.N., & Jones, G. (2021). It’s about time: Perceived barriers to in-service teacher climate change professional development. Environmental Education Research. DOI: 10.1080.13504622.2021.1909708
Jackson, S., Stevenson, K.T., Peterson, M.N., Lawson, D.F., Olson, R.A., & Joseph, E.G. (2021). Lasting conservation and science-related outcomes associated with science education, environmental education, and outdoor science education. Children, Youth, & Environments. DOI: 10.7721/chilyoutenvi.31.1.0116
Lawson, D.F., Stevenson, K.T., Peterson, M.N., Strnad, R.L., & Seekamp, E. (2019). Children can foster climate change concern among their parents. Nature Climate Change. DOI: 10.1038/s41558-019-0463-3
