About Us

"Science is for all Americans" and "Science should be something that students do, not something that is done to them." These two slogans epitomize the revolution now taking place in American K-12 science education.

The Center for Science Outreach was established in 2002 in order to promote and develop a strong relationship between the scientific and educational communities.

Current goals center around three main themes: creating in-classroom partnerships between scientists and teachers; developing virtual partnerships through the use of videoconferencing technology; and hosting in-residence teacher partners at VUMC. Our outreach programs include bringing 7th through 12th grade students to the Vanderbilt campus for summer science camps and annual career days, helping parents get involved in their kids' schoolwork with science nights, and connecting scientists to K-12 classrooms through videoconferencing. In addition, we sponsor a variety of summer workshops focusing on inquiry-based instruction, science content, leadership, and technology.

Programs currently under development include the establishment of new degree programs for in-service teachers in order to enhance their science content background, and expansion and enhancement of our in-classroom and virtual partnerships.

Staff

Virginia L. Shepherd, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Science Outreach
Professor of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Chris Vanags, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Center for Science Outreach
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

Angela Eeds, Ph.D.
Director, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

Joe Lopez, Ph.D.
Administrative Officer, Center for Science Outreach

Jeannie Tuschl, M.Ed.
Program Coordinator, Scientist-in-the-Classroom Partnerships

Tiffany Ellis Farmer, Ph.D.
Lead Scientist, Interdisciplinary Science and Research Program

Jonathan Creamer, Ph.D.
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

Mary Loveless, Ph.D.
Instructor, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

Amanda Dixon, M.Ed.
Admissions Coordinator and MNPS Liaison, School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt

Greta Clinton-Selin
Data Management Specialist

Tonja Dandy De Vault, M.S.
Teacher Outreach Specialist

Josh Swartz, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Kimberly Mulligan, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow

Julia Dobish, M.S.
Educational Consultant

Harvey Sperling, M.A.
Educational Consultant