Leah Bug, PhD

Experience

• 

  Idaho Falls School District 91

  Jan 1987 - Jan 2001

  Elementary and Middle School Teacher

  • Taught every grade level from 3rd grade to 8th grade.• Received a grant to develop a K-8 Technology Education program, purchasing all supplies, developing curriculum, and teaching program to all students at the school.• District curriculum writer for K-12 Social Studies.• State science standards committee member designing the first state standards in Idaho.

• 

  Oklahoma State University

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2007

  • Advanced from state-based education specialist to headquarters-based (Washington, DC) management role of a NASA national educational program due to years of excellence. • Management team member designing and facilitating programming, increasing number of schools into the program to 125 over 4 years. • Directed team of 10 education specialists across the country to implement program, ensuring program fidelity.• Creatively problem-solved solutions as programming problems arose.• Spearheaded the design and implementation of multiple national conferences in various US cities, hosting over 300 attendees from various US states.• Developed partnerships with NASA Headquarters, NASA Program Managers) and other NASA partners including NSTA, National Alliance of State Science and Mathematics Coalition, and NASA Space Grant. Show less • Facilitated the promotion of NASA’s mission to the education community through teacher professional development workshops, school assembly programs, student programs, and public events. • Collaborated with Idaho State Science Coordinator and team in creation and implementation of state-based IRIS teacher workshop, engaging teachers and students in Idaho Educator Barbara Morgan’s first shuttle flight; served on state and national committees with education leaders.• Represented the states of Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Show less

  • NASA National Program (NASA Explorer Schools) Coordinator

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  • Aerospace Education Specialist

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2007
• 

  Penn State University

  Mar 2007 - Jun 2016

  • Managed, promoted, and provided educational programs in STEM education, collaborating with science and engineering researchers in the development of these programs. • Responsible for over $100,000 multiple education budgets, always coming in at or below projected estimates.• Designed, delivered, and coordinated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scientist and researchers on various science education programs for teachers and students, integrating science and engineering research into inquiry-based activities.• Increased teacher participation in Saturday Science Workshop program by 400%. • Communicated science and engineering research through designing and facilitating education programs and community outreach events.• Developed or collaborated on Broader Impacts sections of research grants, with over $2.5 million in successful grants.• Problem-solved programming solutions when implementing education programs in the field.• Co-directed the PA Wind for Schools Program, focusing on Wind Energy and engineering design, developing STEM education programs for 6-12 grade teachers and students in the area of renewable energy. • Mentored new employees, helping them assimilate into their new position and office expectations. • Developed teacher leaders through mentorship programs.• Wrote, edited, and revised educational content when developing lesson plans for diverse audiences.• Evaluated education programs for quality and effectiveness, making appropriate changes based upon evidence from data.• Directed multiple educational programs simultaneously, requiring outstanding ability to multi-task, meeting program deadlines. Show less • Supervised Program Coordinator as we collaborated on accomplishing office goals. Together we planned work tasks, provided necessary training for coordinator to ensure understanding of tasks, reviewed work accomplishments and discussed ideas for improvements, annually evaluating job performance. • Developed, facilitated, coordinated, and evaluated space-based and astrobiology-based education programs to general public, higher education students, and educators. • Co-wrote NASA required annual report and three-year strategic plan.• Developed and implemented seed grant program, allocating over $75,000 to state affiliates for STEM programs.• Managed higher education fellowship and scholarship programs, finding science faculty mentors for graduate and undergraduate students.• Invited practicing teachers as collaborators in designing educational materials for the NASA Swift Project, ensuring activities targeted their instructional needs. • Responsible for $250,000 education budget, providing teacher professional development week-long workshops and community outreach events.• Education & Public Outreach Lead for the Penn State Astrobiology Research Center and NASA Swift Project responsible for $35K/year budget and created, managed, and evaluated astrobiology education and public outreach programs.• Obtained over $116,000 in grant monies to support educational programming by fostering new partnerships. Show less • Managed the design, delivery, and evaluation of professional development courses for in-service science educators in collaboration with Penn State Science Faculty. • Designed, implemented, and evaluated general public education programs. • Obtained funding via grants to supplement Space Grant support for precollege and general public education programs. • Education & Public Outreach Lead for the Penn State Astrobiology Research Center and NASA Swift Project responsible for $35K/year budget and created, managed, and evaluated astrobiology education and public outreach programs.• Leadership in managing Exploration Day, a public outreach event with approximately 2,000 attendees and 40+ exhibitors, increased participation by 40%. Show less

  • Assistant Director, Center for Science and the Schools

    Aug 2009 - Jun 2016

  • Assistant Director, NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium

    Aug 2008 - Aug 2009

  • Education Program Manager, Pennslyvania Space Grant Constortium

    Mar 2007 - Jul 2008
• 

  Leah Bug Consulting

  Jul 2016 - now

  Education Consultant

  K-16 STEM Education program development, professional learning and program management expertise to clients. _____________________________________* Customized a unique training program for newly hired Penn State Center for Science and the Schools STEM Education Outreach Specialist on effective design and delivery of K-8 teacher professional development STEM focused workshops.* Co-founder of the North Carolina KidWind Challenge, held at Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, NC. KidWind is a wind energy competition designed to apply engineering, science and mathematics concepts into a hands-on, real-world experience. Show less

• 

  Johns Hopkins University School of Education

  Oct 2018 - Dec 2019

  Adjunct Professor

  • Earth and Space Science Integrated PreK-6 Classroom online course designer and instructor for the STEM Instructional Leader (PreK-6) certificate program for Johns Hopkins.

• 

  North Caroline Science Fair Foundation

  Mar 2019 - Sept 2019

  Executive Director
• 

  North Carolina State University

  Oct 2019 - now

  As the Director of The Engineering Place, my role involves supporting the NC State mission of expanding and advancing our engineering outreach and engagement with and service to North Carolina and beyond through research-based programming. This support is accomplished by providing vision and leadership for the overall direction, strategic planning, program development, partnership cultivation, and researcher collaborations. My daily tasks include leading TEP and undergraduate student staff in the implementation of K-12 outreach programs, managing The Engineering Lab, a makerspace for first-year engineering students, liaising with faculty and external partners, securing funding through grants and donations, and evaluating program outcomes to ensure continuous improvement. Show less * Day-to-day operations manager implementing, administering, developing, and evaluating programs for K-20 outreach. * Supervise staff and student workers in administering and implementing programs.* Collaborate with students, faculty, staff and other partners from engineering and other colleges to coordinate and implement joint programs.* Assist in developing and implementing strategic plan.* Promote outreach programs at conferences and to corporate/industry partners.* Develop grant proposals and conduct program evaluations. Show less

  • Director, The Engineering Place

    May 2024 - now

  • College of Education Adjunct Assistant Professor

    Jan 2017 - now

  • Interim Director: The Engineering Place

    Nov 2022 - May 2024

  • Assistant Director: The Engineering Place

    Oct 2019 - Nov 2022