The National Center for Science Education welcomes its second cohort of Sound Science Fellows. The six new fellows join seven other higher education faculty and museum educators to enhance professional learning opportunities in climate science, evolution, and the nature of science for K-12 science teachers, identify and resolve common misconceptions about those topics, and conduct research to develop best practices for science education.
The 2026 fellows are: Kelly Feille, Associate Professor of Science Education at the University of Oklahoma; Isaiah Kent-Schneider, Associate Professor of Science Education at Purdue University; Lauren Madden, Professor of Elementary Science Education at The College of New Jersey; Irene Marti Gil, Educational Outreach Coordinator at Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science; Chelsea McClure, Assistant Professor of STEM at the Notre Dame of Maryland University; and Elizabeth Schultheis, Education and Outreach Coordinator at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University.
The NCSE Sound Science Fellowship is a competitive research and service program providing networking opportunities for academics who share our passion for improving science education. Fellows will engage with NCSE's Science Education and Outreach program in an effort to better understand and redefine the teaching and learning of climate science, evolution, and the nature of science. For the two-year commitment, each Sound Science Fellow will receive a $3,000 honorarium, multiple opportunities to engage with their cohort and other educators nationwide, and amplification of work that improves science education. "I am thrilled that such a distinguished and committed group of educators will join our amazing first cohort of fellows," NCSE Executive Director Amanda L. Townley said. "It's always critical that we develop pathways like this fellowship to combat anti-science sentiment and the proliferation of misconceptions and disinformation about science, but it is especially important today given the current situation. I have no doubt that these fellows will make a significant impact on science education.”
Meet the 2025 and 2026 cohorts of Sound Science Fellows.
