People

MSEF High School Committee

William F. Rigney, Co-Chair
STEM Education Consultant

Kristen Bellavance
Taunton High School

Nancy Cianchetta
Everett High School

Nancy G. Degon
Auburn High School (ret.)

Kaylee DeGrace
Brockton High School

MaryAnn DeMaria
Millbury High  School

Stephanie Gill
Marlborough High School

Nicholas Guerin
Wachusett Regional High School, Holden

Howard Harrison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Alex Hatzberger
North Attleboro High School

Kathleen M. Jones
TTT Mentor Program, Cambridge 

Kimberly Kamborian
Waltham High School

Karin Lebeau
Co-Chair, MSEF Middle School Fair

Alison Riordan
Plymouth High School

Dr. Megan Rokop
Professor, UMass Boston

Jo-Anne Sawyer
MSEF Scientific Review Committee Chair
Marlborough High School

Jon Tyler
Westfield High School

Shannon Zayac
Manager, Industry Relations at MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board

Associate Members

Chris Angelli
Somerville High School

Althea T. Brown
Medford High School (ret.)

Sebastian LaGambina
Somerville High School

Karen Martin-Myers
Upper Cape Regional Technical High School, Bourne, MA

Emily Steinberg
Lowell High School

MSEF Middle School Committee

Co-Chairs:
Karin Lebeau
Sandra H. Mayrand

Carol Barry
UMASS Lowell

Dr. Steven E. Bernacki (retired)
Raytheon Company/Draper Laboratory

Karen Bernacki

Kathy Berube
Worcester Public Schools

Karen Cristain
Douglas Public Schools

Ruth Crowley
Overlook Middle School

Nancy G. Degon
Auburn Public Schools (ret.)

MaryAnn DeMaria
The Bancroft School

Jeff Glick
Worcester Public Schools

Kelly Graveson
Douglas Public School

Chris Himes, Ph.D
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Lisa Greenwald
Westborough Public Schools

Erin McQuaid
Regis College

Kathleen Jones
TTT Mentor Program

Jeremy Mularella
Shrewsbury Public School

Dr. James Pelletier
Bristol Community College

William F. Rigney
MA STEM Consultant
Co-Chair, MSEF High School Committee

Rachel Usher
Douglas Public School

Helen Rosenfeld, Executive Director

Helen Rosenfeld has worked to advance youth education and development for over 20 years. She is an experienced leader with deep expertise in accelerating the growth of non-profit organizations. As the Executive Director of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) New England, Ms. Rosenfeld worked on behalf of underserved high school youth, engaging them in entrepreneurship programs to increase skills for their success in school and life. As the Executive Director of Friends of Young Achievers, she helped to build strategic partnerships for one of Boston’s top pilot schools. At One Hen, a youth entrepreneurship organization, Ms. Rosenfeld’s leadership led to rapid growth that doubled student reach and revenue. She has provided consulting services for a number of non-profits, focusing on strategic planning, program and fund development. Ms. Rosenfeld is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A.) and Cambridge University (MPhil).

Lauren Doty, Manager of Major Gifts and Grants

Ms. Doty joined MSEF in 2017 and is responsible for overseeing MSEF’s annual fundraising campaign. She will be working to grow our individual giving program as well as identifying and working with institutional funders. Prior to joining MSEF, Ms. Doty served as the Major Gifts Officer at Emerson Hospital where she was responsible for developing and managing special initiatives through major gifts and planned giving to grow philanthropic support. Previously, Ms. Doty served as the Director of Annual Giving at Simmons College where she raised increased revenue for the institution through leadership giving and marketing initiatives. Ms. Doty holds an MBA from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management and a BA in marketing from Simmons College. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Emerging Leaders Program.

Karin Lebeau, Events Manager

Ms. Lebeau is responsible for managing all logistics for both of MSEF’s statewide Science & Engineering Fairs that bring together the most talented young researchers and innovators in Massachusetts each year. She brings to MSEF eight years of experience in coordinating the Middle School Division event, which she co-chaired as part of her work at the Regional Science Resource Center (RSRC) at UMASS Medical School. Beginning this year at MSEF, she will also oversee all administrative tasks for the High School Science Fair at MIT and the annual Massachusetts Delegation of students and teacher-chaperones that are selected to participate in the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF). For the past two years, Ms. Lebeau served as the Director of the Central MA STEM Network. Previously, she served as Interim Director of the RSRC, where she also managed a DESE-sponsored course for STEM teachers, “Identifying & Developing Student Conceptions in Physical Science,” and served as the course manager for Board of Higher Education’s @Scale Project, “Increasing Accessibility to Algebra & Geometry for ALL Students.” Before joining RSRC, Ms. Lebeau  was a research associate at UMASS Medical School and was the lead co-author of a paper published in Current Biology on chromosome dynamics in C.elegans. Ms. Lebeau earned her BA in biology at Assumption College and an MBA at Nichols College, and is MTEL-certified in General Science and Communications & Literacy.

Elizabeth Kronberg, Senior Manager of Administration

Ms. Kronberg joined MSEF in 2013 and is responsible for managing and executing all administrative tasks for MSEF. Her 20+ years of administrative experience includes companies in the insurance, mortgage and finance sectors in both MA and Chile. She also served as a residential supervisor in a school for special needs children. She earned her BS in Business Administration & Marketing at MCLA.

Rebekah Stendahl, Program Director

Rebekah Stendahl has worked both locally and nationally through various projects and networks to support educational best practices, most recently at the intersection of STEM and Environmental Literacy. She is committed to addressing issues of equity and access in science education. At the New England Aquarium, she created and maintained partnerships, led innovative program development, and supported evaluation with a focus on community education and teacher professional development. Additionally, she worked to support climate resilience education with MassAudubon, serves as a member of the Secretary’s Advisory Group for Energy and Environmental Education, and volunteered as a farm hand and educational consultant at her local community organic farm. Rebekah has a degree in Geology and a certificate from Boston University in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.

Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair
Student Engagement Manager 

The Opportunity 

Expand STEM opportunities for youth across the Commonwealth with the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF)! 

We are seeking an enthusiastic Student Engagement Manager to improve educational access and opportunity by guiding and supporting our year-round programming, connecting students to STEM professionals and opportunities across the state. Through this newly created role we aim to meet an articulated need, from both students and educators, for strategic engagement with research through the science fair process, providing pathways to STEM careers. 

The Student Engagement Manager (SEM) will be responsible for fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for students through programming, training and communications. This person will promote the science fair model, supporting teachers and schools with engaged and trained volunteers, and supporting volunteers to engage with middle and high school students. The SEM will work closely with the Program Director to create training systems and develop school support systems to increase connections with industry professionals through mentoring, student internships and student-focused learning collaboratives. Program initiatives will also include assessing where race, culture and access influences science learning and advancement, and shaping supports accordingly. 

The Organization 

MSEF supports middle and high school students engaged in independent science and engineering research. These STEM learning projects help students think independently and critically as well as innovate around local and global challenges. Students experience the excitement of pursuing their interests & passions and the pride of showcasing their work. Through the science fair program, students experience the professional practices of working scientists and engineers. 

MSEF is transforming materials, training and outreach to address issues of access, opportunity and bias. The Student Engagement Manager role will play an important role in delivering on this strategy, connecting students to opportunities via volunteer engagement, mentorship, internships, training, and events. The position will drive the accompanying volunteer support and strategic communications. 

Here’s What You Will Be Doing 

Student engagement: 

• BIPOC mentoring program management 
• Internship program(s) oversight 
• Structure and oversight of content-focused learning groups 
• Continual identification of opportunities for students (mentorship, program access, awards, etc.) 

Communications 

• Facilitate authentic student-generated storytelling 
• Utilize social media platforms to tell stories and recognize partnerships 
• Provide regular updates to partners, volunteers, and educators regarding ongoing opportunities and upcoming activities 
• Tracking engagement via database 

Volunteer recruitment to identify: 

• Opportunities to bridge access gap to resources 
• Partners (university, corporate, etc.) for BIPOC coaching program 
• Judges from corporate and academic partners for State Fair 
• Alumni engagement 

Volunteer support: 

• Training, placements, and facilitation of (after)school mentor connections 
• Judge recruitment and training for the State Fairs 
• BIPOC mentor training and program management 

What’s Needed to Succeed 

• Passion for STEM education and enthusiasm for the value that volunteers can add to students’ experiences 
• Understanding and experience with issues related to how language, race and culture influence STEM education and career pathways 
• Experience working with students historically underrepresented in STEM 
• Experience supporting volunteers, managing student groups, or school-related programming 
• Excellent listening skills and strong writing skills 
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills 
• Driver’s license and clean driving record 
• Willingness to travel in-State when circumstances permit 
• Ability to work remotely as part of a team 
• Enthusiasm for systems and structure alongside an embrace of organizational change 
• Willingness to assist with assorted tasks that inevitably arise with a small organization 
• Facility with Microsoft Office software, Google, Slack, and other digital tools

MSEF is a small non-profit with a rich history and strong links to education, industry and academia. This position will be one of three other full-time staff on a team of 6. MSEF does not have an office and operates as a remote organization. All candidates must be amenable to working remotely. 

MSEF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and inclusive team. We encourage BIPOC applicants to apply. 

Salary starts at $50,000 year and includes partial health insurance reimbursement, and the opportunity to contribute to a retirement plan. MSEF will provide and/or reimburse for technology needed to support remote work environment. 

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to info@scifair.com. Writing sample should answer one of the following questions and can be in a format that is up to you (no longer than 500 words): 

• Please describe an experience with a mentoring relationship. 
• Please describe a memorable middle school or high school experience with science.

Applications considered on a rolling basis and encouraged for submission before September 17th. Anticipated start date October 4.