People

I am an Assistant Professor of Environmental Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. I hold a PhD in Science Education from NC State University, along with master’s degrees in Biodiversity, and Environment and Development. I specialize in informal environmental learning and have worked extensively with both urban and rural communities in India. My research focuses on understanding the motivations behind environmental social movements and using social analysis to explore how learning and motivation spread within communities. I currently teach courses in environmental education and environmental philosophies at FGCU.

Over the last two decades I have participated in ventures spanning geographic and cultural boundaries across design, engineering, health, education, and international development fields.

As Co-Founder of Up4 The Challenge, a non-profit organization that promotes STEM (science technology engineering and math) as a means to achieve positive social and environmental impact in the community, I co-create and deliver hands-on programming for youth.

My priorities are to create opportunities for social change through a human-centred approach to design and innovation

I am an aspiring environmental educator with a strong interest in sustainability, native plants, and the traditional and practical uses of plants and herbs. I am passionate about connecting people with the natural world through accessible, hands-on education and hope to help others better understand the ecosystems and natural resources within their own communities.

Claire Sutton has been fostering connections between students and the natural world since 2010.

Sara B Sweetman, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Education in the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Rhode Island (URI) and directs the Guiding Education in Math and Science Network (GEMS-Net), a school-university partnership focused continual improvement in STEM teaching and learning. Beginning in the Fall of 2024, Sara will lead the new Environmental Education degree program at URI. Sara is an advisor for children’s media development and productions, including the CBP-PBS Ready to Learn Initiative and Sesame Street. Sara’s research interests focus on educational animation and children's media, gender diverse collaboration in STEM, and multimodal engagement for learning.