Email: barbara@stempact.org

V. Barbara Pener is a retired teacher who spent 30 years in education, all served in the Kirkwood School District. She has taught Health & Wellness, Chemistry, Astronomy, Technology, and more recently Earth Science, Coding, and Robotics. She earned her undergraduate degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and both her master’s degrees in Technology and Science Education from Webster University. She has served as district science fair facilitator, on several district level social justice, educational equity committees, the district African American Achievement Task Force, district technology leadership team, building level science department chairperson, track and field coach, an NEA officer and competitive robotics coach. Her First Lego League Robotics teams have experienced much success during her five years of participation, including several golden ticket berths to the state competition. One of her teams earned one of the coveted few first place trophies. Barbara has presented in educational conferences at the local, state, and national levels in the area of health, science, athletics, and technology. Barbara embraces technology and recognizes the importance of its integration in the 21st century classroom. She combines the unique perspective of a past STEM TQ participant with her commitment to the STEM infused classroom, as she continues in her role as both a STEM TQ facilitator and STEMpact Project Coordinator. Barbara serves as a science and technology educational consultant for the Washington University-Institute for School Partnership, where she assists in the review and writing of mySci science and technology curriculum, as well as PD facilitation. Barbara is part of a teaching team that will offer a course through Washington University’s U College titled Geospatial Thinking for Teachers. The course will teach stem educators how to use a geospatial lens and technology in the delivery of their content. The course will be offered beginning Spring 2022. She is also a participant in the STEMSTL Ecosystem, a collaborative consortium committed to equitable access to high-quality STEM learning for all students in the St. Louis metro region.