Elizabeth Ann Kirman, Ph.D., NBCT

Dr. Elizabeth Ann Kirman is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Education at Penn State and a National Board–Certified Teacher with more than 24 years of experience in STEM, Earth and Space Science, and Environmental Science education. She holds a Ph.D. in Global STEM Education from Texas Tech University, along with degrees in Education and Geo‑Environmental Science.

Before joining Penn State, Dr. Kirman taught STEM and science at the secondary level, where she developed innovative curricula and coached student teams to state, national, and international recognition in STEM competitions. At Penn State, she teaches science, education, and mathematics courses and serves as Co‑Director of the Capital Area Institute of Mathematics and Science (CAIMS), supporting STEM initiatives across the university and region.

Her field experience ranges from discovering a diplodocus fossil in Montana to participating in the International Ocean Drilling Program aboard the JOIDES Resolution, contributing to research on ocean‑floor microfossils and Earth’s climate history. Dr. Kirman’s research interests focus on global STEM education, three‑dimensional learning, authentic data use, and the STEM school‑to‑career pipeline.