Kristen Wendell

Kristen Bethke Wendell is an American scholar of engineering education. She is a professor of mechanical engineering and education at Tufts University,[1] where she co-directs the Institute for Research on Learning and Instruction in the Tufts University School of Engineering.[2] A major theme of her research has been the integration of engineering engineering into the elementary school curriculum.[3]

Education and career

Wendell has a 2003 bachelor's degree from Princeton University,[2] in mechanical and aerospace engineering.[4] Initially intending to continue in aerospace engineering,[3] she received a 2005 master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,[2][4] with research on spacesuit design.[3][4] After changing her focus to engineering education,[3] she completed her Ph.D. at Tufts University in 2011,[2] working under the supervision of Chris Rogers.[5]

Next, Wendell became an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in 2011.[5] She returned to Tufts as an assistant professor in 2016.[1] As an assistant professor at Tufts, she also held the title of McDonnell Family Professor in Engineering Education.[5][6] In 2026, she was promoted to full professor.[1]

Recognition

Wendell was a 2013 recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, honored "for her outstanding research work on how to integrate a community-based engineering design model into pre-service science elementary school teachers focused on crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas, and scientific and engineering practices".[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Faculty Promotions in the School of Engineering, Tufts University School of Engineering, February 23, 2026, retrieved 2026-03-21
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kristen Wendell", Faculty, Tufts University School of Engineering, retrieved 2026-03-21
  3. 1 2 3 4 McNeil, Taylor (August 22, 2017), "Engineering a Better Classroom Experience", Tufts Now, Tufts University, retrieved 2026-03-21
  4. 1 2 3 "Kristen B. Wendell", Engineer Girl, National Academy of Engineering, retrieved 2026-03-21
  5. 1 2 3 "Young pacesetters", Prism, ASEE, May 2018, retrieved 2026-03-21
  6. ↑ Asatekin and Wendell named endowed assistant professors, Tufts University School of Engineering, September 1, 2016, retrieved 2026-03-21
  7. ↑ "Kristen Wendell", PECASE recipients, National Science Foundation, retrieved 2026-03-21
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