Einstein’s Incredible Universe is a dynamic new media and engagement program designed to catalyze interest in space science and spark scientific curiosity in lifelong learners, with a special emphasis on impacting young women. In this webinar recording, learn from the project’s leaders, researchers, and participants as they showcase this exciting program.
Einstein’s Incredible Universe is funded by the National Science Foundation and includes an IMAX-format film produced by Cosmic Picture, educational resources from the Great Lakes Science Center, collaboration with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative, and research from Rockman et al.
This webinar was hosted by NGCP on August 14, 2024.
Erica Meehan
Erica Meehan works at the intersection of storytelling, impact, and philanthropy, leveraging documentary film and other media to drive social change and meaningful learning outcomes. As an Impact Producer specializing in STEM stories, she has developed strategic partnerships and engagement initiatives to enrich IMAX films and television programs that have taken audiences to the depths of the ocean, the farthest reaches of space, and millions of years back in time. Her projects have been supported by NOAA, NASA, NSF and other agencies, and her films have appeared on PBS, National Geographic, and on giant screens in science centers worldwide. Prior to launching her consulting business, Erica served as Associate Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Jane Goodall Institute and Manager of Film Production at National Geographic Entertainment. She lives outside of Philadelphia where she is also invested in revitalizing local news and journalism in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
Janna Mino
Janna Mino graduated from Cleveland State University with Bachelor's Degrees in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, after which she worked in Research & Development at an LED lighting company. She then transitioned into education, completing a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree from Kent State University and teaching high school science classes at an innovative STEM School. Janna joined the Hathway Brown community in 2023 after serving as the STEM Education Program Specialist with The Ohio Department of Education, where she supported educators in implementing deeper learning practices such as creating a transdisciplinary curriculum, practicing design thinking and problem-based learning, as well as mastery and personalized learning strategies. She is now the Director of the Science Research & Engineering Program (SREP) which allows girls to get experiential learning in science research and engineering labs all over northeast Ohio.
Claire Quimby
Claire Quimby is a social scientist who has been working in the field of education research and program evaluation for the past 10 years. She works with a myriad of organizations who seek to make the world better for diverse learners - through museum experiences, classroom curricula, and a wide range of programs and media. As a Senior Research Associate for Rockman et al Cooperative, she helps education-focused institutions understand their impact through mixed methods research - from interviews to surveys to participant observation and everything in between. She also serves as an evaluation consultant, helping organizations define their goals and identify the best strategies for measuring their progress. Her favorite projects focus on community-building, participatory approaches, and honoring the perspectives and life experiences of the audiences that organizations seek to serve. For Einstein's Incredible Universe, she is helping to measure the impact of this citizen science project on the youth who participated, as well as on the educators who guided them through the experience.
Heidi Schran
I am a High School Science Teacher and have the pleasure of sharing my love of science with students. I currently teach Astronomy, Biology and Physics at Talawanda High School in Oxford, OH. I have a passion for understanding things I can't easily see with the unaided eye, and therefore pursued my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Microbiology. As a Teaching Assistant getting my Masters, I found that getting students to feel confident and love science was the most rewarding part of graduate school. So, I now do that full time! Continuing my personal exploration of our "not-readily-visible" universe, I started an Astronomy course at our school and I am involved with Quantum for All, working to make Quantum Physics more accessible to high school students. Outside of my career, I love yoga, cycling and classic films! I live with my husband and daughter (who just graduated from high school), and have another daughter and three grandkids. I have three cats, two turtles, and a gazillion plants!