Lara Gengarelly

Lara Gengarelly has worked in the field of science education and science since 1993.

Gengarelly is an Extension STEM education state specialist and an affiliate associate professor with the UNH Joan and James Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education. She has taught science in both elementary and secondary schools in New England. Gengarelly has a PhD in Plant Biology from UNH. Gengarelly was a faculty member in the UNH Education Department (2004–2014), where she taught and supervised undergraduate and graduate preservice teachers. She designs science education projects that involve community partnerships between scientists and K–12 educators and provides professional development for educators and Extension volunteers. She also works as a science education evaluator and curriculum specialist for several federally funded science education programs designed for K-12 students and science teachers. Gengarelly’s current research investigates the underlying factors of professional development that can help educators create learning experiences that ultimately improve learners’ science literacy and attitudes toward STEM disciplines. She is particularly interested in studying how to increase the integration of authentic scientific research practices in K–12 formal and nonformal settings.