Kimberly M Sheridan, EdD

I design and study learning environments that support learners\capacity to solve problems, imagine new ways of working and develop their sense of agency in making their ideas real. I partner with museums, libraries and other community organizations to employ design-based research methods to iteratively develop these projects for children and families. I use activity theory, linguistic and other qualitative analyses to understand dimensions of learning, as well as more traditional educational and psychological measures. I focus on how my research is socio-culturally situated and how it promotes equity. As an environmentalist, I am currently actively seeking how to next use my design-based research work to engage children and families\thinking, learning and activity around sustainability and the climate crisis. My work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the National Endowment of the Arts.

• Making Connections Work: Designing STEM learning environments to support family interactions
• Agency and Art: Study of how theater and visual arts learning environments support learner agency