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
Joe Lopez, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Center for Science Outreach
Jennifer Ufnar, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Center for Science Outreach
Lead Facilitator, CSO Science Teacher Institute
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
Jeannie Tuschl, M.Ed.
Program Coordinator, Scientist-in-the-Classroom Partnerships
Program Coordinator, Volunteer Scientist-in-the-Classroom Partnerships
Jonathan Creamer, Ph.D.
Instructor and Director of Student Outreach,
School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Jeff Hazelton, B.S.
Technology Coordinator
Amanda Dixon, B.S.
Admissions Coordinator and MNPS Liaison,
School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt
Tiffany Ellis Farmer, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Harvey Sperling
Educational Consultant
