UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kathy Hill has been named the new director of the Center for Science and the Schools (CSATS) in the College of Education at Penn State.
Hill, assistant professor of education (science education), has served as the associate director of CSATS and succeeds Annmarie Ward, who retired as director on Dec. 31.
CSATS serves to facilitate mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships between K-12 schools and Penn State's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) researchers to enhance K-16 science and technology education across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its seven-person staff works with scientists and engineers and school districts to develop relevant teacher professional development and outreach programs incorporating research-based learning theory.
Hill and CSATS also work with researchers from around the University, assisting them with the broader impact sections of their National Science Foundation grant proposals. She also has led i-STEAM workshops and the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) summer programs, among many other outreach activities.
"Kathy's leadership and extensive knowledge about STEM education provides a perfect background for her to assume the director's role within CSATS," College of Education Dean David H. Monk said. "I am certain CSATS will continue to thrive and its many STEM-related programs will advance under Kathy's guidance."
Hill earned a bachelor's degree in geological sciences from Lehigh University and a masters in environmental pollution control from Penn State. She received her secondary teaching certification from Arizona State University, where she also earned her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction (science education).
Ward was committed to helping CSATS grow since its inception in 2004. She collaborated with science education and science and engineering faculty to develop and teach specialized content courses for preservice K-8 teachers at Penn State, and implemented innovative outreach projects incorporating reform-oriented science teaching practices.
"We greatly value the leadership and dedication that Annmarie displayed toward CSATS," Monk said. "The upward momentum and energy she instilled within CSATS will always be a part of that growing program."