Siera Stoen, PhD (Physics), has over 5 years experience in teaching, research, data analysis, and project management, and has been a member of CIRCLE since 2014. She contributes her expertise in physics education and statistical analysis to a range of research projects, including several large-scale initiatives funded by AAU and HHMI grants–one of which explored how to improve the inclusivity of classrooms.
Siera is passionate about investigating the role of both cognitive and social psychological factors in students’ experience of physics education and using those insights to develop more effective teaching techniques. She has worked in a collaborative fashion with various faculty and staff members to explore a range of topics including: how to improve quantitative problem solving in novice learners, sense of belonging in introductory physics courses, as well as how schemata can be made more expert-like. Additionally, she led the effort to establish and evaluate the Physics Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) program at Washington University in St. Louis.
As an advocate for inclusive and accessible education, in her spare time, Siera serves as a tutor for incarcerated students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses as part of the Washington University Prison Education Project.