Elizabeth A. Parry

Elizabeth Parry is an engineer and consultant in K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Curriculum and Professional Development and the coordinator of K-20 STEM Partnership Development at the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.  For the past fifteen years, she has worked extensively with students from kindergarten to graduate school, parents and pre-service and in service teachers to both educate and excite them about engineering.  As the Co-PI and project director of a National Science Foundation GK-12 grant, Parry developed a highly effective tiered mentoring model for graduate and undergraduate engineering and education teams as well as a popular Family STEM event offering for both elementary and middle school communities.

Ms. Parry’s research interests include learning style and pedagogical connections, assessment and evaluation of K-12 learning through engineering principles,  the impact of both poverty and family on STEM attitudes and success and “preschool to practice” engineering topics related to pipeline, diversity, retention and outcomes.  She has authored over 30 papers on K-20 STEM education issues.  Current projects include providing comprehensive professional development and program consulting for multiple elementary engineering schools, serving as a regional hub partner for the Museum of Science, Boston’s Engineering is Elementary curriculum program; and participating in the Family Engineering project.  She currently serves as the chair-elect of the American Society for Engineering Education K-12 and Precollege Division.  Other professional affiliations include the International Technology and Engineering Education Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association.  Prior to joining NCSU, Ms. Parry worked in engineering and management positions at IBM Corporation for ten years and co-owned an informal science education business.   She received her BS in Engineering Management/ Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (Missouri S&T).