Stephanie Klixbull, M. STEM Edu. is an international, national, and state award winning elementary educator who spent over nine years in the classroom, educating students in science, math, and engineering. She started her career teaching science as a Performing Educator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Stephanie then moved to a formal education setting by teaching science and math for fourth and fifth grade students in a Title 1 school located in South Carolina. In 2017-2021, Stephanie then moved on to teach a special STEAM class called IDEA Lab to students in PreK-5th grade in Summerville, South Carolina. Stephanie taught elementary robotics and Computer Science as well. She was the creator and program director of the school’s K-12 hydroponic lab. Students received a farm to table experience by donating lab vegetables to the school’s cafeteria for implementation of healthier lunch options.
In 2018, Stephanie received the Max E. Lundquest Outstanding Young STEM Educator Award from the International STEM Educator Association for her curriculum in early childhood STEM. That same year, she was also awarded as the state’s Teacher of the Year from the state of South Carolina Independent Schools Association. In 2021, Stephanie left the classroom to relocate to Washington D.C. as she was selected to complete a national fellowship through the Department of Energy as a Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow. During her fellowship, Stephanie was placed with the Department of Defense at Carderock Naval Surface Warfare Center. For her 11-month term, Stephanie was the lead developer and creator of over 16 hands-on elementary science lessons and directed multiple educator professional development relative to DoD STEM careers and the realistic engineering solutions centered around the Navy. As a national educator fellow, Stephanie also contributed to initiating collaborations and partnerships among federal agencies about STEM education.
Throughout her career, Stephanie has been an advocate for STEM education and the workforce to be equally accessible for all students, including students who have learning and physical disabilities. Stephanie struggled herself as a child due to her own learning disabilities. However as a young learner, Stephanie’s resource teachers helped promote her love for learning with hands-on science activities. Stephanie believes that her passion for STEM education and enthusiasm for learning derives from her own early childhood experiences. Thus has been the catalyst for her inspirational career as a STEM specialist.
Currently, Stephanie is at the College of Education at Penn State University. As the Elementary STEM Specialist, Stephanie continues to develop STEM curriculum for students and promoting professional development opportunities for educators across the state of Pennsylvania. Stephanie enjoys being a motivational speaker to educators and to organizations who take charge in shaping the STEM Pipeline.
