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Lauren Giarratani laurieg@pitt.edu LRDC, 1st floor |
Research Specialist, Learning Research and Development Center
The Gates Installation Team (February, 2005)
M.S. in Biological Sciences, Rockefeller University (2002-2004)
Research Assistant, Harvard Medical School (2000-2002)
B.S. in Biology, Haverford College (2000)
I am interested in how people learn about science. In particular, I enjoy helping young people who might not necessarily gravitate towards science find places where it can connect with their lives and interests. This is important because science is a creative endeavor, driven by the diversity of ideas, interests, and problem-solving approaches of those who participate. A homogeneous scientific community jeopardizes innovation, which is why it is important to engage diverse audiences with scientific issues.
At UPCLOSE I support a variety of research projects.
Currently:
- In City as a Learning Lab (CaLL), I have been working with the CREATE lab to develop and evaluate curriculum for Robot 250 youth technology workshops. I also help form and study the partnerships between university research groups and community organizations that are a central part of Robot 250. This summer, we are launching a variety of studies around Robot 250 exhibits and events in order to gauge how this massive community program influences Pittsburghers' ideas about robots and art.
- I am part of a team from UPCLOSE that is working with Manchester Craftsmen's Guild to document and examine the impact of the Guild's arts-based youth programs. As a former student at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, I am particularly pleased to be working on this project.
Previously:
- In the Click! Urban Adventure, an interactive role-playing game where girls explored how science and technology could be used to solve problems and influence the world around them, I helped coordinate and evaluate science content for the game. Our studies around Click! shed some insight into how girls learn through role-playing with their friends. (2005)
- At the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, I helped design, implement and evaluate inaugural programming for museum visitors and school groups in the Fisher Scientific Biotechnology Lab. (2005-2006)
Other Interests:
- I am part-time student at Carlow University, working towards PA Teaching Certification in Secondary Science.
- I am involved with Student Pugwash USA (SPUSA), an organization of young people committed to ensuring that science and technology are used to change the world in positive ways. I was a Student Representative member of the SPUSA board of directors from 2005-2007.
