As the Institutional Partnerships Director, Meridith Bruozas drives the laboratory’s workforce development and university strategy, advancing STEM programs and research collaborations that align with mission science. Through strategic partnerships, she builds frameworks that fuel scientific breakthroughs, strengthen the U.S. workforce in critical industries, and prepare the next generation of STEM leaders to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges.

Ms. Bruozas leads a highly effective team in developing and implementing STEM programs that  engage students at every stage, from middle school to graduate studies. Together, they build key partnerships with local and regional organizations, universities, and school systems to create cutting-edge, connected programs that advance science, pioneer new solutions and empower the next generation of  STEM leaders.

Ms. Bruozas is an educator by training and has spent the past 30 years in a combination of district, nonprofit and academic leadership positions that research and promote STEM education. She earned her M.S. in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Secondary Education and Biological Sciences from Ball State University. Her publications include several national science curricula for middle and high school classrooms and numerous professional presentations and research articles focused on developing the next generation STEM workforce.

Ms. Bruozas is the inaugural chair of the National Laboratory Education Directors Council, leading national STEM efforts across the 17 Department of Energy national labs and sits on many regional and national committees focused on building a national STEM workforce.

Grants

NSF-STEM+C 1640088. Integrating Meteorology, Mathematics, and Computational Thinking: Research on Students’ Learning and Use of Data, Modeling, and Prediction Practices for Weather Forecasting. $2.5M Co-PI.

NSF-HRD 1202563. Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Midwest Regional Center for Excellence. $3.1M Co-PI.

Presentations

Bruozas, M, Marcum-Dietrich, N., and Staudt, C. (2019). Students’ Use of Data, Modeling, and Prediction Practices for Weather. National Association of Researcher in Science Teaching Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Sturner, K., Bruozas, M. and Domyancich, J. 11-14 April 2019. Empowering Experiences for Girls in Computer Science. National Science Teachers Association Conference, St. Louis, MO.

Bruozas, M. (2018). Preparing the Next Generation for a Future Unknown. Keynote for TechCon Illinois Association for School Business Officials, Naperville, IL.

Marcum-Dietrich, N., Bruozas, M., and Staudt, C. (2018). Precipitating Change: Embedding Computational Thinking into Middle School Science Classrooms. National Association of Research in Science Teaching Conference, Washington, D.C.

Bruozas, M., Residori, R. (2012). Technology Enhanced Learning: Incorporating Technology with the Common Core. Presented at the Chicago Teachers Union Common Core State Standards Conference, Chicago, IL.

Bruozas, M., Connolly, J., Perez, L. (2012). School Administrator as Instructional Leader. Presented at the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association – Pre-Conference.

Bruozas, M., Parrott, E. (2012). Using Social Media is Good Teaching. Presented at Chicago Public School TechTalk 2012.

Bruozas, M. (2012). STEM – Technology Enhanced Learning Experiences- Concept First, Technology Second. Presented at Chicago Public School TechTalk 2012.

Bruozas, M., Speigel, S., Edmondson, E. (2010). Professional Development Institute: Emerging into Inquiry. Presented at National Science Teachers Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Bruozas, M., Speigel, S., Stennett, B. (2009). Professional Development Institute: Emerging into Inquiry. Presented at National Science Teachers Association, New Orleans, LA.

Bruozas, M. (2005-2007). Using Multiple Technologies in Project-Based Lessons. This presentation was given at many regional and national and regional conferences from 2005-2007.

Bruozas, M., Finn, L.-E. (2005). Forward Thinking: Backwards Design. Presented at National Science Teachers Association, Midwest Regional Conference, Chicago, IL.

Bruozas, M. (2005- 2007). Investigations in Environmental Science: A Case-Based Approach to the Study of Environmental Science. This presentation was given at multiple national and regional conferences.

Bruozas, M., Dowling, J. (2007). Students as Scientific Decision Makers. Presented at the National Science Teachers Association annual conference, St. Louis, MO.

Bruozas, M. (2007). Teaching Students about Evidence-Based Decision Making. Presented at the National Science Teachers Association regional conferences, Detroit, MI; Birmingham, AL; Denver, CO.

Bruozas, M. (2007). Using GIS to Support Learning About Environmental Issues. Presented at the National Science Teachers Association regional conferences, Detroit, MI; Birmingham, AL; Denver, CO.

Bruozas, M. (2007). How to Get the Most Out of Your Classroom Discussions. Presented at the National Science Teachers Association regional conferences, Detroit, MI; Birmingham, AL; Denver, CO.

Edelson, D.C. & Bruozas, M. (2006, Feb). Inquiry Learning in Science. Keynote at the ISELA Winter Meeting, Wheaton, IL.

Tzou, C.T., Reiser, B.J., Hug, B., Finn, L.-E., Dodick, J., & Bruozas, M. (2003). Teaching about ecosystems in a project-based curriculum: challenges and promises. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, Philadelphia, PA.

Publications

Marcum-Dietrich, N., Bruozas, M., Domyancich, J. (2022). Does This Count as Work? Nurturing Computational Thinking in the Science Classroom.  The Science Teacher, 89(6),. 12 – 15.

Bruozas, M., Domyancich, J., Sturner, K., and Staudt, C. (2019). Precipitating Change: Integrating Meteorology, Mathematics and Computational Thinking. (In Press).

Bruozas, M. (2013). Making Environmental Decisions. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Society.

Edelson, D.C., Tarnoff, A., Schwille, K., Bruozas, M., & Switzer, A. (2006). Learning to make systematic decisions. The Science Teacher, 73(4), 40-45.

Edelson, D.C., Schwille, K., Bruozas, M., Lach, M., Taber, M., Gordin, D.N., Chinsio, K., Goldstein, N., & Tarnoff, A. (2005). Investigations in environmental science: A case-based approach to the study of environmental systems. Armonk, NY: It’s About Time.

Stylinski, C., Bruozas, M., Tarnoff, A., Doty, C. (2005). Inquiry with GIS: Using GIS to Understand Streams. UMCES Appalachian Laboratory.

Bruozas, M., Dodick, J., Finn, L.-E., Hug, B., Kuhn, L., Tzou, C., & Reiser, B.J., (2004). Struggle in natural environments: What will survive? In J.Krajcik & B.J. Reiser (Eds.), IQWST: Investigating and questioning our world through science and technology. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University.

Edelson, D.C., Schwille, K., Bruozas, M., Lach, M., Taber, M., Gordin, D.N., Chinsio, K., Goldstein, N. & Tarnoff, A. (July 2003). Looking at the Environment: Investigations in Environmental Science Using Geographic Visualization and Information Systems. Evanston, IL: Northwestern.

Wilensky, U., Bruozas, M.A., Levy, S. (2003). Connected Chemistry Curriculum. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University.

Tzou, C.T., Reiser, B.J., Hug, B., Finn, L.-E., Dodick, J., & Bruozas, M. (2003). Teaching about ecosystems in a project-based curriculum: challenges and promises. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, Philadelphia, PA.