Danielle R. Scharen, Lead Researcher at Horizon Research, Inc. (HRI), received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in STEM Education, a Master of Education degree in Elementary Education with a Science Leadership concentration, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences with a concentration in Elementary Science Education from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining HRI in 2023, Dr. Scharen taught preservice teachers at North Carolina State University and was an elementary school teacher in Wake County Public Schools. Her dissertation research focused on methods for integrating science and literacy in the elementary school classroom and evaluated preservice teachers’ use of a science instructional model that supports students’ development of science skills, discourse practices, language development, and reading and writing skills. Dr. Scharen has worked on several research and evaluation projects since joining HRI including the OpenSciEd Elementary Field Test; Supporting Elementary Teacher Learning for Effective School-Based Citizen Science (TL4CS); NEXUS Academy for Science Curriculum Leadership (NEXUS); and Engaging Minoritized Populations in Environmental Action through Mentoring, Geospatial Technology & Digital Media Storytelling (ECO-DIG).