I am a science education researcher, and I conduct research with the overarching goal of improving the scientific literacy of nonscientist members of the public, particularly pre-service teachers.
I am also the Director of Illinois State University’s Center for Mathematics, Science, & Technology (CeMaST). The goals of CeMaST are to:
- Empower ISU-led STEM leaders in the solving of societal problems. Our objective is to support ISU community members s they seek opportunities to use their STEM expertise to solve societal problems, such as climate change, poverty, food and water availability, spread of preventable disease, and educational quality.
- Support the integration of evidence-based instruction into STEM classrooms. Our objective is to support the transition toward evidence-based teaching practices in STEM classrooms at all levels, but particularly at ISU and especially those practices that help to alleviate under-representation by minoritized groups in STEM.
- Reach out to and serve communities who are currently marginalized by mainstream STEM. Our objective is to make high-quality, evidence-based STEM learning opportunities that reflect a diversity of STEM perspectives available in Illinois’s under-served communities.
Education
- Ph.D., Mathematics & Science Education (2007), University of California, San Diego & San Diego State University
- M.S., Ecosystems Biology (2002), Eastern Michigan University
- B.S., Biology (2000), Western Illinois University
Contact Information
Dr. Rebekka Darner
CeMaST
Illinois State University
Campus Box 5960
Normal, IL 61790-5960
Office: 102 Campus Religious Center
Phone: (309) 438-3071
rldarne@ilstu.edu