Outreach

Building communities that help teachers and the public understand science.

In my lifetime, I would like to see authentic scientific practices become commonplace in K-12 classrooms. To achieve this goal, I focus a majority of my outreach efforts on supporting pre- and in-service K-12 teachers. That said, I am always eager to engage with the broader community through public lectures, career fairs, or club presentations.

Centerpiece

K–12 teacher professional development

Most of my outreach effort goes here. Teachers are the leverage point for science education at every level — and they deserve the same kind of intellectual community, professional support, and research-informed practice that university faculty take for granted. I co-founded two organizations to help build that infrastructure.

Co-founder & Vice President 2023–present
Idealized Science Institute
A national non-profit empowering physics educators with research-backed practice.

I co-founded the Idealized Science Institute (ISI) to give physics teachers a place to engage with the actual research on how science is learned, taught, and understood. ISI brings the findings of decades of educational research to the people who need them most — the educators in K–12 classrooms.

Free educational videos on the nature of science, scientific practice, and pedagogy.
A podcast dissecting education research for pre- and in-service teachers.
In-person professional development workshops, including a regional science conference held annually.
Visit Idealized Science Institute →
Co-founder & Lead Facilitator 2025–present
Central Illinois Math Teacher Circles
A community of practice for pre- and in-service math teachers in Central Illinois.

Math teacher circles bring practicing K–12 mathematics teachers together with research mathematicians to do mathematics collaboratively. The model is built on decades of evidence that teachers teach better when they themselves remain active mathematical learners.

Quarterly professional development sessions for pre- and in-service teachers.
Collaborative problem-solving with research mathematicians and peer educators.
A regional community of math teachers across Central Illinois.
Learn more →
Broader community

Other outreach

Earlier and ongoing outreach work — mentoring graduate students, working with elementary-age learners, and participating in institutional efforts to broaden access to STEM.

Mentor Fall 2023
Partnerships for Informal Science in the Community (PISEC)
Guided elementary students through informal, exploratory science activities on a weekly basis. Boulder, CO.
Mentor & Program Lead 2021–2024
Graduate Association of Students in Physics (GASP)
Closely mentored incoming graduate students through the transition into research, and ran the GASP mentorship program starting May 2023. CU Boulder.
Mentor 2019–2024
CU Prime
Monthly mentorship of undergraduate physics students, plus a small-group cohort in an introductory Nature of Science course. CU Boulder.
Steering Committee 2023–2024
CUbit Education & Workforce Development
Helped develop quantum education and workforce development initiatives across the CU Boulder campus.
Recognition

Pedagogy & inclusion

Awards and credentials related to teaching, mentorship, and a commitment to inclusive STEM education.

Inclusive Pedagogy Certificate
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning
2026
Figueroa Family Fellowship for Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
University of Colorado, Boulder · Department of Physics
Spring 2024
CU Physics Award for TA Excellence
University of Colorado, Boulder · Department of Physics
Spring 2023

K–12 teacher or curious neighbor?

I welcome inquiries from teachers interested in professional development and from anyone who wants to talk about science or science education. Get in touch — I read everything.

Email me →