Ren Mendoza, Ph.D.
- Faculty Leadership Fellow
- STEM TRAIL Center
- Assistant Professor, Teacher Education
General Information
Biography
Dr. Kieren "Ren" Rende Mendoza is a former environmental journalist and science museum educator with over ten years’ experience teaching in the natural sciences, science literacy, and science communication.
Teaching Interests
Ren's teaching record includes graduate and undergraduate level courses in elementary and secondary science teaching methods, contemporary research and critical issues in STEM, introduction to research methods, and teaching and learning in digital environments. They are currently working towards the development of coursework, a program minor and major in informal, family, and community-based teaching and learning.
Awards and Honors
NARST Outstanding Doctoral Research Award, Scholarship/Research - 2024
Jhumki Basu Fellowship, Scholarship/Research - 2023
AERA Division C Equity & Inclusion Seed Grant, Scholarship/Research - 2021
Education
Ph D, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, Learning and Teaching STEM, Science Education, 2022
MA, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, Multimedia Journalism, Science Communication, 2012
BS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, Plant Biology, Science Education, 2006
Professional Development
Workshop, The AI Advantage: Transforming Teaching and Preparing Students to Thrive, 07/01/2024 - 08/01/2024
Scholarship/Research/Creative Activity
Selected Publications
Rende, Ren, Johnson, Carla. A (TRANS)formative approach to gender-inclusive science teaching, Journal of Research in Science Teaching.
Refvem, Emma, Jones, M>, Rende, Ren, Carrier, Sarah, Ennes, Megan. 2021. The next generation of science educators: Museum volunteers, Journal of Science Teacher Education, 33, 3, 326-343.
Rende, Ren, Jones, M., , Megan. 2021. The privilege of low pay: Informal educators’ perspectives on workforce equity and diversity, Journal of Museum Education, 46, 4, 430-440.
Rende, Ren, Jones, M., Refvem, Emma, Carrier, Sarah, Ennes, Megan. 2022. Accelerating high school students’ science career trajectories through non-formal science volunteer program, International Journal of Science Education, Part B.
Service
Department, College, and University
BRIDGES Undergraduate Program Committee, Committee Member, 04/01/2024 - 04/30/2024
Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Gender Equity Queer & Trans Subcommittee, Committee Member, 04/01/2024 - 04/30/2024
Professional
American Education Research Association, Chairperson, Serving as program chair for the Informal Learning Environments Research SIG for the American Education Research Association. , 03/01/2024 - present