Janis Slater, PhD, is a STEM Curriculum and Learning Specialist at the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center. She is a former middle school science teacher with 12 years of experience in the classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree in Instructional Design, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Psychology from the University of Oklahoma. She is in her 17th year of working at the K20 Center, where she has coordinated and managed numerous science and STEM projects. Janis has worked extensively with teachers and administrators in schools across the state of Oklahoma to facilitate authentic, student-centered learning in the classroom with a focus on research based instructional practices. Her main interests are science education, instructional pedagogy, and learning theory. Janis enjoys hiking, spending time with her family, and going on adventures with her 2-year-old granddaughter.