Katherine Blanchard is the Program Manager for Leadership Development and International Programs in the Professional Services division of the SSEC, where she has managed and supported a variety of programs across the United States, including STC professional development workshops, leadership institutes, and the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers. The focus of her work has been supporting teachers, schools, and districts in building support and awareness for science education in their communities. She has a BA in both Theatre Arts and Political Science from Coe College and an MA in International Education from The George Washington University.

Alexa Mogck is a Program Assistant in the Professional Services division of the SSEC, where she supports a variety of domestic and international programs. Prior to joining the SSEC, Alexa worked and volunteered with many youth-facing science organizations in the Santa Barbara and Minneapolis areas and completed a Fulbright Grant teaching English in Terengganu, Malaysia. Alexa graduated from Westmont College with a BS in Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Natural History, and a minor in Anthropology. 

Heidi Gibson is a curriculum developer for the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals community research guides at the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC). This follows her prior work as an SSEC research fellow helping to develop the structure of the guides and aligning them to ideas from socio-scientific, place-based, participatory action, and civic and global learning research. She is passionate about engaging young people to realize their own power to transform the world. She has a Master of Arts degree in International Education from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the College of William and Mary. Heidi authored the book From Ideas to Actions: Transforming Learning Using Critical Global Issues, and her past work includes researching and directing global education programs, serving in the U.S. diplomatic corps, and teaching civics using an experiential approach.