Contact Information

University of California, Santa Barbara
Director of Education, California Nanosystems Institute

fiona@cnsi.ucsb.edu
https://chancellor.ucsb.edu/committees/cacfsh/
Santa Barbara CA 93106

Biography

Fiona Goodchild has been working with UCSB scientists and engineers since 1990 when she joined the Center for Quantized Electronic Structures (QUEST), one of the early  National Science Foundation Science and Technology Centers. She collaborated with researchers to create several programs with local science schools and community colleges, such as Apprentice Researchers, the Science Partnership for School Innovation and Research Experience for Teachers. These projects reflected her background as a high school teacher and cognitive psychologist and extended the role of research scientists to engage teachers in professional development that includes authentic laboratory research. In 1999 she won a Pre-College Winning Program award from the Industrial Research Institute, Inc. for her role in developing K-12 science education projects at both QUEST and the Materials Research Laboratory (MRL). She has also been recognized with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM).

As Director of Education at California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) at UCSB, she continued to collaborate with education staff and scientific researchers to direct several NSF program such as LEAPS (funded by the Graduates in K-12 Education) and EPSEM (funded by the Science Talent Expansion Program). She also partnered with CNSI scientists to team teach two innovative undergraduate courses; the Practice of Science and Insights on Science and Technology in Society. UCSB recently created the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP) to further encourage such collaboration between faculty and science educators.  Fiona retired from her position as director in Spring 2010, moving into the role of chair of the CSEP Advisory Board to maintain her interest in how graduate researchers and faculty in science and engineering can develop their professional skills in mentoring and teaching.