Why Wonder Matters: Creating Authentic Connections in the Classroom

Sandy Roberts is the Education Program Manager at Science Friday, where she creates learning resources, content, and experiences to advance STEM equity in all learning environments. 

Sandy earned her degree in chemical biology from Stevens Institute of Technology with a minor in literature and certificates in chemical engineering and computer science. After working in both pharmaceutical research and publishing, she transitioned her career to education when she started a family. 

Since then, Sandy has taught both formally as a middle school STEM teacher and informally at local libraries, homeschool co-ops, museums, and camps through her business Kaleidoscope Enrichment LLC. She’s also offered Professional Development for educators through Rutgers University, where she is pursuing a graduate degree in STEM and Maker Education.

Sandy has participated in and presented at Maker Faires along the East Coast since 2012 where she has won numerous ribbons for her educational activities. Channeling the Maker Movement into education, she has overseen the development of three makerspaces, written The Big Book of Maker Camp Projects (McGraw-Hill 2019), and served as Maker Camp Community Manager for Make: Magazine. Sandy has also spoken at conferences such as the Make: Education Forum, National Science Teachers Association STEM Conference, and the New Jersey Educational Technology Conference.

When not teaching or writing, Sandy can be found tinkering at home, exploring the outdoors, or spending time with her family—sometimes all three at once. Lately, she’s been playing with origami circuits, relearning micro-python, and trying to perfect a gluten-free sourdough recipe.