Professional Bio

I am currently on leave from my position as a Research Associate with Selinda Research Associates, Inc., where I have worked since 1997. My work at Selinda has included planning and implementing exhibit and program evaluations and meta-studies, and I have contributed literature reviews to many Selinda Research Associates projects. (I still do some work with Selinda and other local evaluation firms, but that's on a short-term contract basis.) Please go here to see some of the evaluation projects I have completed: http://selindaresearch.com/gyllenhaal.htm

During my leave I am working on a writing project whose major goal is to help parents support their children's deep, personal interests in nature, science, and technology. The project includes a website ( http://SaltTheSandbox.org ), various blogs (including http://neighborhoodnature.wordpress.com ), and a series of books, plus assorted Twitter and Facebook accounts, programming at local museums, and more.

My educational background includes a B.Sc. in Interpretive Work in Natural Resources (Ohio State University), a B.Sc. in Geology (Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis), and a Ph.D. in Paleontology and Stratigraphy (University of Chicago). Some of my research interests over the years have included public understandings about Earth history and prehistoric life, public uses of educational websites, and how and why children develop intense interests in nature, science, and technology.

I also have worked as an exhibit developer and evaluator at the Field Museum in Chicago and as a naturalist and curator-educator at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. I started my museum career as a volunteer and junior staff member at the Lake Erie Junior Nature and Science Center in Bay Village, Ohio.

Expertise & Interest Descriptors

children's interests, parental support, developing expertise, roles in families, nature education, informal science, evaluation

Planned Conference Participation