DETROIT – Tonya Matthews PhD, president and CEO at the Michigan Science Center, has been appointed to Board on Science Education at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Matthews will join the chairman and 13 other members on BOSE, a standing board that guides a portfolio of work on science education broadly conceived in K-12, higher education and informal education settings, such as science museums, aquariums, nature centers and social networks.
“Tonya Matthews is an outstanding addition to the Board on Science Education,” commented Adam Gamoran, chair of BOSE and president of the William T. Grant Foundation in New York City. “Her exceptional blend of expertise as a trained biomedical engineer and leader in informal science education will offer unique insights as we endeavor to fulfill the BOSE mission of providing advice to the nation on science education.”
BOSE was looking for someone to join the board who would bring a deep knowledge of science education in informal environments. Dr. Matthew’s experience as a thought-leader in museum engagement and open-classroom, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education extends far beyond her time at MiSci. Prior to joining MiSci, she served a vice president of museums for Cincinnati Museum Center and prior to that role, she worked with the Maryland Science Center.
“It is critical that young students have exciting and genuine STEM experiences,” said Matthews. “I am honored to bring my expertise in informal learning environments to BOSE, and work to influence the way science is taught and learned, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
BOSE investigates how science is learned and taught, from individual self-directed learning and the teaching-learning exchange in a classroom or at the dinner table to the effectiveness of schools or entire federal education programs. BOSE generates reports based on these findings and work to influence federal legislation, provide guidance to federal agencies involved in STEM education, and shaped proposals from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education.
Board members serve for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewing for a second 3-year term. Board meetings are held twice a year – one in spring in Washington DC and one in winter in Irvine, California.
For more information about BOSE, please visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DBASSE/BOSE/index.htm
