People

People

Dr. Megan Ennes

I am the Assistant Curator of Museum Education at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida. I am also the Director of the Thompson Earth Systems Institute. My research focuses on a variety of aspects surrounding learning in museum settings. This includes research on museum educators' professional pathways and self-efficacy related to teaching in informal settings. Additionally, I explore the influences of museum-based programs on the STEM interests and career aspirations of underrepresented youth and adult participants. These programs often focus on civic engagement for the environment. I also study how to support scientist communication with the public. While I am faculty in the Department of Natural History, I am also affiliated with the School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Geomatics, the Anita Zucker Center for Early Childhood Excellence, the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Museum Studies Department. You can learn more about my work on my university webpage.
Honors and Awards
2024    National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program, Early Career Fellow
2024     Reviewer of Excellence, International Journal of Science Education
2024     Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals, Gold Award for Book or Comprehensive Program Curriculum: 4-H Community Action Projects for the Environment (CAPE)
2023     University of Florida, Excellence Award for Assistant Professors
2021      University of Florida, Global Fellows Program
2020     North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center Partnership Award
2020     Reviewer of Excellence, International Journal of Science Education
2019       Sigma Xi North Carolina State University Chapter Graduate Research Award
2019       NC State University Graduate Student Research Symposium- First Place College of Education 
2018       National Science Foundation ITEST Fellow
2017        William & Ida Friday Graduate Student Fellowship
2017        Agnes & Garfield Stiff Scholarship
2017        NCSU Graduate Student Association Travel Award
2017        National Science Foundation Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide: Australia
2017        Applied Research in Immersive Environments for Learning (ARIEL) AERA SIG Best Paper Award
2017        Informal Learning Environments Research (ILER) AERA Special Interest Group Travel Award
2016        National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
2016        North Carolina Science Leadership Fellow
2016        Ecology Project International Research and Education Fellow
2014        Educators of Excellence, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Education
2019    Ph.D., Science Education, North Carolina State University
2011    M.A., Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
2006    B.S., Marine Biology, Secondary biology teaching license, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Current Team Members
Graduate Students
Melanie Giangreco, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Undergraduate Students
Elle Henson, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Elizabeth Riotto, Anthropology
Former Team Members
Graduate Students
Amanda Wagner-Pelkey, Museum Studies
Sara Janelle, Museum Studies
Amonté Martin, (2021, PhD) School of Forestry, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences
Imani Lee, (2020, MA) Museum Studies
Joseph Watts, College of Education
Undergraduate Students
Natalie Triana, Political Science
Meghan McVey, (2022, BS) College of Education
Constanza Perez, Fullerton College
JenMarie Vega, Environmental Studies