Contact Us

risecenter@maine.edu – Dept Information and Estabrooke Ballroom Scheduling

mstinfo@maine.edu – Master of Science in Teaching Degree Information

Phone: 207.581.4672

The Maine Center for Research in STEM Education, RiSE Center 5727 Estabrooke Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5727

Justin dimmel

Interim Director of The Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center)

Associate Dean for Academics and Student Engagement

Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Instructional Technology

College of Education and Human Development

justin.dimmel@maine.edu

(207) 581-4678

Dr. Dimmel Bio

Susan McKay

Director Emerita, Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center)

Professor Emerita of Physics

susan.mckay@maine.edu

Dr. McKay Bio

RiSE Center Faculty

Criteria for Faculty Membership

David Batuski

Professor of Physics
batuski@maine.edu
(207) 581-1035

D. Batuski BIO

Mitchell Bruce

Professor of Chemistry
mbruce@maine.edu
(207) 581-1190

M. Bruce Bio

Nuri Emanetoglu

Associate Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering
nuri.emanetoglu@maine.edu
(207) 581-4531

N. Emanetoglu BIO

Janet Fairman

Associate Professor of Education
Co-Director of the Maine Education Policy Research Institute
janet.fairman@maine.edu
(207) 581-2475

J. Fairman BIO

Heather Falconer

Associate Professor of Professional and Technical Writing
heather.falconer@maine.edu
(207) 581-3856

H. Falconer BIO

Saima Farooq

Lecturer in Physics
saima.farooq@maine.edu
(207) 581-2161

S. Farooq BIO

Joan Ferrini-Mundy

President of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
umpresident@maine.edu
(207) 581-1512

J. Ferrini-Mundy BIO

Christopher Gerbi

Professor in School of Earth and Climate Sciences, Associate Dean for Research of College of Earth, Life, and Health
christopher.gerbi@maine.edu
(207) 581-2153

C. Gerbi BIO

Elizabeth Hufnagel

Associate Professor of Science Education
elizabeth.hufnagel@maine.edu
(207) 581-2451

E. Hufnagel BIO

Sara Lindsay

Professor of Marine Science
slindsay@maine.edu
(207) 581-2739

S. lindsay BIO

Eric Pandiscio

Associate Professor of Education
ericp@maine.edu
(207) 581-2452

E. Pandiscio BIO

Franziska Peterson

Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education
franziska.peterson@maine.edu
(207) 581-3923

Education

Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Mathematics Education), University of Wyoming, 2016
M.Ed. in Secondary Education (Mathematics and English), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany, 2011
B.A. in Secondary Education (Mathematics and English), University of Osnabrück, Germany, 2007

Bio

Franziska Peterson is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Maine. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Secondary Education with double majors in mathematics and English in Germany. In 2016, she received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Mathematics Education) from the University of Wyoming.

Professor Peterson’s research centers on quantitative reasoning and mathematical literacy. Her dissertation concentrated on preservice elementary teachers (PSET) and their use of language when reasoning about box-and-whisker plots. In particular, she used function language analysis to analyze students’ use of language, which investigates the use of grammar as well as the semantics being conveyed. During her doctoral work she was part of a quantitative reasoning research team on an NSF funded grant focusing on learning progressions for environmental science. This STEM project led to the development of a quantitative reasoning learning progression for 6^th through 12^th grade. The research involved multiple iterations of qualitative research cycles as well as quantitative research analysis.

Currently, professor Peterson is investigating PSET’s understanding of statistical representations by engaging PSETs in a semester-long data collection, analysis, and interpretation project. Additionally, she is working on investigating the role of language in interdisciplinary contexts. Students sometimes display difficulties transferring mathematical concepts to their science classrooms or vice versa. The use of language and terminology can be an important factor in creating interdisciplinary bridges.

Courses taught at UMaine

MAT 107 – Elementary Descriptive Geometry
MAT 108 – Elementary Numerical Mathematics from a Modern Perspective
MAT 116 – Introduction to Calculus

Highlighted publications

Peterson, F. (2021). Working with real-world data: A pilot study of pre-service elementary teachers. Educational Research: Theory and Practice, 32(1), 102-108.

Peterson, F. (2020). Quantitative reasoning skills for successfully working with real-world data. SIGMAA RUME’s Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Boston, Massachusetts, February 2020.

Natasha speer

Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
natasha.speer@maine.edu

natasha.speer@maine.edu

(207)581-3937

Education

Ph.D. Mathematics, Science, and Technology, University of California at Berkeley, 2001
M.A.T. Mathematics Education, Cornell University, 1990
A.B. Mathematics, Cornell University. 1989

Bio

Natasha graduated in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and in 1990 with a master’s degree in mathematics education from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. In 2001, she received her Ph.D. in Education in Mathematics, Science, and Technology at the University of California at Berkeley. She has been a member of the Physics Education Research Laboratory since 2009.

Currently, she is working on video cases for novice college mathematics instructor professional development and the project “On The Job Learning: Graduate Student Instructors’ Development of Knowledge for Teaching,” which seeks to study newly formed teaching-related knowledge in novice college physics instructors.

Natasha is and has been teaching the courses Calculus I (MAT 126), Mathematics for Secondary School Teachers (MAT 305), Integrated Approaches in Mathematics Education I and II (SMT 505/506), as well as the Mathematics Teaching Assistant Teaching & Learning Seminar (MAT 500).

In her research, Natasha examines the influence that mathematical knowledge for teaching has on college mathematics instructors’ teaching practices.

MacKenzie Stetzer

Associate Professor of Physics, Undergraduate Coordinator
mackenzie.stetzer@maine.edu
(207) 581-1033

M. Stetzer BIO

John Thompson

Professor of Physics
thompsonj@maine.edu
(207) 581-1016

J. Thompson BIO

Joo Young Lee

Assistant Professor of Special Education
jooyoung.lee@maine.edu
(207) 581-2433

J. Y. Lee BIO

RiSE Center staff

Shane Barker

RiSE Programs Coordinator
shane.barker@maine.edu
(207) 581-4664

Education

Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, University of Maine, 2004

Master of Arts and Teaching, University of Maine, 2007

Current Work & Bio

Shane, the RiSE Program Coordinator with an office in Estabrooke Hall, is responsible for planning and overseeing much of the professional learning offered through the center. Shane comes to the RiSE Center with 16 years of teaching experience in middle school math and science as well as building administration.

Beth ByersSmall

Teaching Fellowship Program Coordinator
elizabeth.byerssmall@maine.edu
(207) 581-4669

Education

C.A.S., Instructional Technology, University of Maine, 2011
M.Ed., Elementary Education (Curriculum), University of Maine, 2002
B.S., Biology, Secondary Education, University of Maine at Farmington, 1984

Current Work & Bio

Beth coordinates the NSF Fellowship Program, a program to recruit, prepare, support, and retain highly-qualified STEM teachers in rural, high-need Maine schools. In this capacity, she works with the 20 program Fellows and a core group of 17 veteran teachers who serve as program mentors. The NSF Fellowship community provides professional learning and mentorship to support ongoing improvement in classroom teaching for new STEM teachers. As program coordinator, Beth designs and leads professional learning opportunities for Fellows and mentors, oversees and supports mentorship, conducts classroom observations to provide feedback and support to new STEM teachers, and coordinates communication and reporting about the project. She also develops, supports, and facilitates professional learning opportunities for teachers in the Maine STEM Partnership Community, including through statewide content discussions and collaboratives. Her current professional interests include supporting pre-service teachers and developing teacher leadership.
Prior to taking on her position as NSF Fellowship Coordinator, Beth coordinated professional learning for K-12 teachers in the Maine STEM Partnership and Maine PSP. Over the past several years, she has presented annually at the National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA) conferences together with teachers and colleagues from the Maine STEM Partnership.
Beth brings over 20 years of experience teaching students at the elementary, middle-level and high school with her to the RiSE Center. She has also worked as an assessment developer for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance.
When not working Beth has tried her hand at various creative pursuits, and presently she can often be found quilting. She also enjoys spending time at her remote camp, paddling various watercraft, and reading.

Kelsey Davis

STEM Education Research Associate
kelsey.e.davis@maine.edu
(207) 581-4674

Education

B.S. in Marine Science, University of Maine

Current Work and Bio

Kelsey Davis is a part of the research and evaluation team at the RiSE Center. She works with both quantitative and qualitative data collected by the RiSE Center to directly support the work of the Research & Evaluation Coordinator and various research teams. She is also currently pursuing an M.S. in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources from the University of Maine. Before working at the RiSE Center, Kelsey worked full time for the University of Maine Honors College as an Associate and as the Coordinator of the Cohort Compass Program.

Jennifer Fronczak

Professional Learning Specialist
jennifer.fronczak@maine.edu
(207) 581-4668

Education

B.S., Elementary Education – minor in mathematics, SUNY Oneonta, 1991
M.Ed., Literacy, University of Maine, 1993

Current Work & Bio

Jenn provides professional learning offerings across the STEM disciplines. She works with partnering school districts to provide direct, specialized mathematics professional learning that includes conducting analysis of student data to support teacher’s iterative reflective teaching practices. Jenn supports several grants including the iTEST grant which is a model program to engage students in authentic, technology-infused coastal research and monitoring and the USDA-HEC grant aimed at enhancing learning outcomes in Food Science and Food Engineering courses using student-centered approaches. Jenn also contributes to the NSF Teaching Fellowship program as a mentor teacher.

Prior to working for the RiSE Center, Jenn spent almost 30 years working in public education at every grade K – Adult Education. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early Adolescent Mathematics. She is a national speaker contributing mathematics, technology, and place-based workshops to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) as well as various state’s conferences. She currently lives in Danforth, Maine.

Beth Muncey

Resource Coordinator
elizabeth.muncey@maine.edu
(207) 581-4675

Education

B.S. in Elementary Education (mathematics concentration), University of Maine, Farmington, 2006

Bio

Elizabeth Muncey is the Resource Coordinator for the RiSE Center, supporting teachers throughout the state using research-supported, community-vetted instructional resources. She can often be found in the resource warehouse, packing, inventorying, and organizing the kits and materials provided for teachers. Currently, Beth is working with over 100 teachers in grades Kindergarten through 9th grade to provide hands-on science materials to nearly 5,000 Maine students.

Previously, Beth worked for 10 years as a grade 7 math teacher in Hartland and Bucksport, Maine. She currently lives in Levant, Maine with her husband Dan, and their dogs Wally and Gertie. Alongside hanging out with family and friends, Beth enjoys running crazy distances and has completed multiple marathons.

Maureen Raynes

Financial & Personnel Manager
maureen.raynes@maine.edu
(207) 581-4673

Vacant

Research and Evaluation Coordinator

Vacant

Faculty & Student Success Programs Coordinator