She works in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Center of Science and Mathematics in Context at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Kristen’s research focuses on integrating engineering design into preK-12 learning experiences. She has led teacher professional development and designed curriculum for science and engineering with teachers from the early childhood through high school levels. Previously, Kristen was an aerospace engineer conducting research on spacesuit design for human space exploration. She earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in aerospace engineering from Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in science education from Tufts University.