Sarah E. Safley, Research Associate at Horizon Research, Inc. (HRI), received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science & Policy and Certificate in Child Policy Research from Duke University. She is also a North Carolina Certified Environmental Educator.

Prior to joining HRI in 2022, Ms. Safley spent seven years at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences as the manager and curator of the Discovery Room, a hands-on exhibit for intergenerational learning. Her work included a wide array of programs and audiences, including early childhood and elementary field trips, summer camps, and homeschool programs; professional development for formal and nonformal educators; and a special focus on design and facilitation of free-choice learning environments. Ms. Safley also developed and taught a natural science curriculum for PreK-5th graders with language-based learning disabilities at a private school in Houston, TX. At HRI, Ms. Safley is a member of the research teams for Supporting Elementary Teacher Learning for Effective School-Based Citizen Science (TL4CS), Simulations in Mathematics Collaborative Activities in STEM Careers for Adolescent Engagement (SimCASCADE), and Science Teachers as Public Health Educators (PHEds). Additionally, Ms. Safley is involved in the evaluations of the Northwest Earth and Space Science Pipeline (NESSP) project and Think Math + C: Integrating Programming into a Comprehensive K–5 Mathematics Curriculum.