Sarah Olsen, Ph.D.

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Sarah Olsen brings expertise in mixed methods research, youth development, STEM education, and persistence in STEM education. Her work is driven by a commitment to use research and evaluation to improve education outcomes. Prior to joining the Lawrence Hall of Science, she was a postdoctoral associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension where she supported research, curriculum development, and evaluation of a wide range of science education programs for K-12 students, volunteers, and in-service teachers. Sarah’s science teaching experience spans K-12 and postsecondary levels in both classroom and outdoor learning environments. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz; a M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho; and a Ph.D. in Water Resources from the University of Idaho. In her doctorate work, she conducted research on the impact of out-of-school science experiences on STEM career interest and science identity for low-income and first-generation youth.