Christopher Fornaro received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Rutgers University and Master of Education from Temple University. After working as a process engineer for roughly three years, he completed an alternative certification program and Master’s degree as a Robert Noyce scholar, funded by a Wachovia grant. Over the next nine years Chris spent time in public, charter, and independent schools teaching math and science classes. This time was culminated in creating and managing the STEAM department and MakerSpace at The Shipley School.

Chris’s research interests originate in trends he saw in STEM spaces both in and out of the classroom. Specifically, ways that STEM can be effectively integrated in and out of classroom spaces, out of school STEM programming, and confidence in STEM programming for teachers and students. Currently, Chris is working on a Noyce grant through DragonsTeach middle years to increase 4th-8th grade STEM teachers in high needs schools. He is also working on several projects in the GLIDE lab pertaining to identity exploration in various settings.