Dr. Kieren "Ren" Rende Mendoza

Biography

Dr. Kieren "Ren" Rende Mendoza (they/them) is a former environmental journalist and science museum educator with over ten years’ experience teaching in the natural sciences, science literacy, and science communication. Their journalistic works have been published by major media outlets such as the Miami Herald, WLRN Public Media Radio, the National Park Service, and National Geographic Magazine. Ren’s recent research publications have focused on exploring issues of equity and social justice in formal and informal science, computing, engineering and technology education. They have a specialized research agenda in critical trans-, LGBTQ-, and dis/ability-centered STEM education.

Teaching Interests

Ren's teaching record includes graduate and undergraduate level courses in elementary and secondary science teaching methods, contemporary research and critical issues in STEM, introduction to research methods, and teaching and learning in digital environments. They are currently working towards the development of coursework, a program minor and major in informal, family, and community-based teaching and learning.

Research Interests

Studies in progress include development of trans-inclusive science education research methodologies, investigations into the academic and social support networks of trans and nonbinary STEM students of color, documentation of the experiences of pre-service trans and nonbinary science teacher candidates, critical trans methodologies, the role of non-formal science and technology education programs in supporting LGTBQ youth and youth with disabilities, exploring informal science educator identity development for historically marginalized and excluded individuals.

Service Summary

Ren has served on various equity-focused committees at the college, university, and national levels. Examples include roles in the NARST Ethics & Equity Committee, the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Gender Equity at UNO, and the DEIA Committee in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at UNO. They are a member of numerous organizations, including the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), and Science Educators for Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice (SEEDS).

Awards and Honors

NARST Outstanding Doctoral Research Award, Scholarship/Research - 2024

Jhumki Basu Fellowship, Scholarship/Research - 2023

AERA Division C Equity & Inclusion Seed Grant, Scholarship/Research - 2021

Inclusive SciComm Research + Practice Fellowship, Teaching - 2019

Education

Ph D, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, Learning and Teaching STEM, Science Education, 2022

MA, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, Multimedia Journalism, Science Communication, 2012

BS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, Plant Biology, Science Education, 2006

Professional Development

Community of Practice: Research, Grants and Creative Activity Faculty Leadership Forum, 09/01/2023

Community of Practice: Research, Social Science Methodology Faculty Leadership Forum, 09/01/2023

Community of Practice: Teaching, Faculty Observation of Teaching, 10/01/2023

Institutional Training, Starting a Humanized Course: Humanizing Online Learning and Teaching, 12/31/2023 - 02/12/2023

Selected Publications

Rende, Ren, Johnson, Carla. A (TRANS)formative approach to gender-inclusive science teaching, Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

Refvem, Emma, Jones, M>, Rende, Ren, Carrier, Sarah, Ennes, Megan. 2021. The next generation of science educators: Museum volunteers, Journal of Science Teacher Education, 33, 3, 326-343.

Rende, Ren, Jones, M., , Megan. 2021. The privilege of low pay: Informal educators’ perspectives on workforce equity and diversity, Journal of Museum Education, 46, 4, 430-440.

Rende, Ren, Jones, M., Refvem, Emma, Carrier, Sarah, Ennes, Megan. 2022. Accelerating high school students’ science career trajectories through non-formal science volunteer program, International Journal of Science Education, Part B.

Department, College, and University

CEHSS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIA) Committee, Attendee, Meeting, Advocate and support diversity in our college community, encourage opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to increase their understanding of diversity, and promote equality of opportunity for all., 09/01/2022 - 09/30/2022

Teacher Education Diversity Organization (TEDO), Faculty Mentor, TEDO is a student-led organization whose mission is to promote awareness of our wide cultural variety and to build an inclusive, diverse community that honors the differences among the students, faculty, and staff. , 10/01/2022 - 10/31/2022

Professional

American Educational Research Association (AERA), Reviewer, Conference Paper, The American Educational Research Association (AERA), a national research society, strives to advance knowledge about education, to encourage scholarly inquiry related to education, and to promote the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. , 06/01/2023 - 06/30/2023

International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, Reviewer, Journal Article, Review academic manuscripts related to communication between and the engagement by individuals and groups concerning evidence-based information about the nature, outcomes, and social consequences, of science and technology., 01/01/2020 - 12/31/2020

Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Reviewer, Journal Article, Reviewing journal articles related to gender and LGBTQ equity in science and STEM education., 06/01/2023 - 06/30/2023

National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Reviewer, Conference Paper, NARST is a global organization for improving science teaching and learning through research. Since its inception in 1928, NARST has promoted research in science education and the communication of knowledge generated by the research. The ultimate goal of NARST is to help all learners achieve science literacy. , 04/01/2023 - 04/30/2023

Studies in Science Education, Reviewer, Journal Article, Reviewing journal articles related to gender and LGBTQ equity in science and STEM education., 05/01/2023 - 05/31/2023