Pennsylvania STEM Ambassadors

Jeff Remington

Facilitator
STEM Outreach Liaison
Center for Science and the Schools, Penn State
University Park

Jeff Remington will serve as facilitator for the 2025 STEM Ambassador Special Project Cohort.

In his current role as STEM outreach liaison for the College of Education’s Center for Science and the Schools at Penn State, Jeff oversees outreach engagement activities, develops Broader Impact resources, manages digital media platforms, and adds value to stakeholder connections through leadership roles in the Engine STEM Ecosystem and the Pennsylvania Statewide STEM Ecosystem (PSSE).

Jeff studied the sciences and education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and adult training and development at Penn State. He has had a fulfilling 35-year career teaching middle school science and a 25-year career teaching in Lebanon Valley College’s Masters of STEM Education program, the undergraduate education program, and as a thesis advisor.

Through the encouragement and kindness of many mentors, Jeff has received numerous accolades, including the 2002 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, The Paul DeHart Hurd Award for Exemplary Middle-Level Science Teaching and Leadership, and The Nevelyn J. Knisley Award for Inspirational Teaching by a Lebanon Valley College adjunct faculty member and is one of 10 National Teacher STEM Ambassadors selected and trained by the National Science Teaching Association and The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Jeff is especially passionate about bringing educational opportunities to those with limited access. Along with his wife, Helen, he has helped to create and sustain science and technology classrooms in St. Marc, Haiti. He has been an advocate for decreasing the digital divide that exists between developed and underdeveloped nations. As a trained STEM advocate, Jeff played a grassroots leadership role in adopting and implementing the 2022 Pennsylvania Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability (STEELS) academic standards, serving on numerous state leadership committees.

Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski

STEM Ambassador Special Cohort Mentor
Director, Pennsylvania Statewide STEM Ecosystem
NEPA STEM Ecosystem Lead
Instructional Technology Integration Specialist
iCreate STEM Program Director
Northeastern Online Learning Academy 19 Liaison
Archbald

Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski has spent her time in education teaching both students and adults how to embrace technology as a tool for learning. Working with all sized learners from pre-K to adults, she aims to demystify STEM concepts as well as get students engaged in learning enthusiastically. She is passionate about aviation, electronics, robotics, programming and three-dimensional design. Her passion is evident in the way she manages projects for iCreate STEM, a technology-focused program run by the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (NEIU 19) Technology Department. iCreate STEM is designed to bring engaging, cross-curricular projects to both classrooms and out-of-school settings across the districts served by NEIU 19. The program also offers professional development opportunities for educators and additional enrichment programs for students.

Currently, Alexandra is leading the NEPA STEM Ecosystem which benefits young people in Wayne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Pike counties. This NEPA STEM Ecosystem coordinates rich STEM experiences across the footprint that NEIU 19 serves, as well as develops a STEM-ready pipeline of graduates for the workforce in the region. She is also director of the PA Statewide STEM Ecosystem of PA (PSSE). She is the PA STEM Point-of-Contact for the NEIU 19 region, one of three 2018 PA STEM Ambassadors for Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties, and a passionate advocate for equity and access to STEM experiences for her community.

William “Bob” Atkins

Senior FIRST Mentor, Smart Manufacturer Mentor, Mon Valley Youth Robotics
FIRST
Vanderbilt

Bob Askins is a dedicated and passionate professional with over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, with a focus on cable TV and cellular technology. Bob began his career at the age of 15, which provided him with a profound understanding of the telecommunications landscape and culminated in a successful retirement at 45.

Bob has a master’s degree in electrical engineering technology and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Aberdeen University.

About three and a half years ago, Bob’s 14-year-old daughter, Dottie, expressed an interest in building a computer. Inspired by her enthusiasm, he suggested they build a robot instead. This idea sparked a deep commitment to education and community service, leading to the establishment of a youth robotics organization utilizing FIRST Inspires Programs. This initiative specifically targets economically disadvantaged communities, aiming to provide access to opportunities and resources that are often available only to more affluent peers. His goal is to foster a love for technology and innovation in the next generation.

In his diverse roles within STEAM education, Bob serves as a senior FIRST mentor for Western and Central Pennsylvania, a subject matter expert for Smart Manufacturing, and the 2025 STEAM Ambassador for OST Region 7. He remains committed to inspiring youth and empowering them through hands-on learning experiences in robotics and technology.

Ann Czeponis

Director of Environmental Education and Internships
Susquehanna University
Mount Carmel

Ann Czeponis is director of environmental education and internships at Susquehanna University. Ann came to Susquehanna University in 2023 as a veteran K-12 educator. Her teaching career included public and private schools, informal educational programming, and higher education. Ann has a passion for learning and considers herself a student of education. Her CSATS RETs and University of Notre Dame STEM Teaching Fellowship are among her most cherished professional development experiences.

Throughout her professional life, Ann has been an educational advocate. She promoted policy focused on equity and access through her roles as a PA Education Policy Fellow (PA EPFP 2018 graduate) and PA STEM Ambassador. Her time as a United Way Board member was spent defining and confronting issues of rural poverty in the Anthracite regions of Central Pennsylvania particularly as they pertain to education and educational initiatives. She is excited to be part of this energized, esteemed cohort.

Ann wanted to become a STEM Ambassador to build on her extensive experience advocating for equitable STEM education, particularly in out-of-school-time (OST) settings. Her work as a Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador and Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) fellow allowed her to engage in STEM policy advocacy, develop STEM learning ecosystems, and collaborate with education leaders to expand access to STEM experiences. Through initiatives such as the Girls in STEM Symposium, environmental education programs, and international STEM collaborations, she worked to create engaging, standards-based learning opportunities that addressed disparities in STEM education, particularly for rural and underserved communities.

Donna DeMarco

Instructor/Professor
Kutztown University
Leesport

Donna DeMarco is a tenure-track computer science instructor at Kutztown University, teaching software engineering, information technology, and data science courses for undergraduate and graduate students. Using project-based and student-driven learning, her mission is to mentor and empower students, so they have the skills, creativity and confidence to solve our wicked problems. Donna is most proud of her students’ Demo Day, a public presentation where software engineering students showcase their products. She also works with St. Luke’s University Healthcare Network Simulation Center’s 3D and Print Innovation Lab, “The Cauldron,” helping students create prototypes for the healthcare industry, focusing on patients’ and caregivers’ needs.

Donna has over 30 years of high-level project management, software engineering, and team-building expertise. In 2005, she co-founded Viddler, a video-based platform that enables an employee engagement platform, engaging training delivery, skills coaching, and practice reinforcement. As an instructor and consultant, she taught and mentored over 2,500 engineers, developers and managers. Donna worked with and guided clients in the analysis and design of their systems, the adoption of software methods, and building successful teams.

Donna wanted to become a STEM Ambassador to expand her efforts in advocating for equitable and culturally relevant STEM education. As a professor and researcher, she worked on multiple initiatives to increase diversity in STEM fields, including the Here to Observe (H2O) + Here to Storytell (H2S) NASA grant, which provided first-generation and underrepresented students with mentorship and exposure to STEM career opportunities. She also co-founded the Girls in STEM Symposium, that introduced 6th – 12th grade students—particularly those from rural and underrepresented backgrounds—to hands-on STEM experiences and industry professionals. Through these initiatives, she aimed to address disparities in access to STEM education and provide students with meaningful engagement in STEM fields.

William “Will” Fee

Lead Instructor, STEMlab
State Library of Pennsylvania
Lykens

William Fee established the State Library of Pennsylvania STEMlab in 2014, as a makerspace at the time. After almost a decade of direct youth programming, the STEMlab shifted its mission to training library staff to increase STEM confidence, ability and capacity. The STEMlab also acts as a Lending Library for the STEM needs of libraries around the state. Bill has been with the State Library of Pennsylvania since 1995.

Bill wanted to become a STEM Ambassador to further his commitment to equitable STEM education and resource accessibility. As the founder and lead instructor of STEMlab, he spent years developing innovative programming, including a statewide lending library of STEM materials and bimonthly training sessions for library staff on diverse STEM topics. His outreach extended to summer camps, homeschool cohorts, and state employees through STEM Lunch and Learns. He also played a key role in connecting activities to educational standards, assisting educators in aligning STEM programs with curriculum requirements. By joining the STEM Ambassador program, he aimed to integrate the PA STEELS standards more effectively into his work and expand his reach to underserved communities.

His dedication to STEM advocacy was evident in his efforts to address disparities in STEM education, particularly in rural and inner-city schools. He ensured that his training materials highlighted diverse figures in STEM and designed activities to be accessible for both college-bound and non-college-bound students. His leadership in creating a lending library, organizing Girls in STEM Night, and developing program units for libraries demonstrated his ability to collaborate with educators, community stakeholders, and policymakers. Through these initiatives, he worked to make STEM learning engaging, inclusive, and widely accessible.

Addison Leedy

Science Educator and Program Coordinator
Discovery Space
Bellefonte

Addison Leedy is a science educator and program coordinator at Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, located in State College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Penn State and a master’s degree in education from Lock Haven University. In his role at Discovery Space, he plans and leads prekindergarten, afterschool, homeschool, and camp curriculum aimed at learners ages 3-10. In his role as program coordinator, he acts as the point of contact for school field trips, scout troops, and other groups, assigning and organizing visits with the core education team. Addison is passionate about working with neurodivergent learners and making STEM accessible to learners in areas of lower socio-economic status.

Addison wants to be a STEM Ambassador because he is dedicated to making STEM education accessible and engaging, particularly for underserved and rural communities. Through his role in outreach, he has helped organize and lead nearly 30 STEM events in the past year, reaching over 800 individuals across multiple Pennsylvania counties. His work focuses on ensuring thoughtful resource allocation and fostering real-world connections between students and STEM professionals. From coordinating free library programs and after-school STEM clubs to securing grants for rural schools, he is committed to breaking down barriers to STEM learning.

His passion for equity in STEM extends to addressing socioeconomic and neurodivergent challenges in education. He strives to create hands-on, inquiry-based learning environments that accommodate different learning styles and build students’ confidence in STEM. Additionally, he has developed curriculum and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators to integrate STEM into their classrooms effectively. As a STEM Ambassador, he wants to continue supporting out-of-school-time educators with innovative, standards-aligned programming that inspires the next generation of STEM learners.

Jakyra Simpson

Entrepreneur and York County School District STEM Substitute
KytheChemist.com
York

Jakyra “Ky the Chemist” Simpson is a dynamic science communicator, educator and multidisciplinary artist who bridges the worlds of creativity and education. As the founder of STEAM Sneakerheadz, she fuses art, science and sneaker culture to inspire curiosity and innovation in learners of all ages.

Ky holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in chemistry and education from Indiana University , where she pioneered innovative approaches to teaching science through sneaker culture and creative expression. She further expanded her expertise through studies in women’s entrepreneurship at Cornell University, reinforcing her passion for empowering future innovators.

As an educational STEM ambassador, Ky is dedicated to making science accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant. Known as the “female Bill Nye,” she captivates audiences through mixed media, performance art, and design, using storytelling to connect STEM with everyday life. A TEDx speaker, she has proven that the intersection of science and art can revolutionize how we understand the world.

Ky wanted to be a STEM Ambassador because she is passionate about making science accessible, engaging and relevant to diverse audiences. As a dynamic and innovative chemist, she has dedicated her career to blending chemistry with hip-hop and sneaker culture to create unique, relatable science experiences. With over five years of experience in public outreach, research and mentorship, she thrives in communicating complex scientific concepts in ways that inspire curiosity and enthusiasm. Her commitment to increasing public awareness of chemistry through hands-on workshops, lectures and multimedia content aligns perfectly with the mission of a STEM Ambassador—to inspire the next generation and foster a deeper appreciation for science in the community.

Rose Slike

Youth Services Librarian
Clarion Free Library
Clarion

Rose Slike is the youth services librarian at Clarion Free Library, a small rural library located in Northwestern Pennsylvania. With a bachelor’s degree in English before getting her master’s degree in library sciences from Drexel University, Rose’s world has always revolved around books. Passionate about helping people use books and experiences to help connect the world together, Rose uses her position as the youth services librarian to help children and teens connect with STEAM materials and activities that they might not otherwise have a chance to experience. She believes that introducing new materials such as different instruments, art forms and STEM ideas to young people will help them understand more about themselves, the world around them, and how they want to make their own mark on it. Rose also enjoys the chemistry side of experiments as the sharing and bonding of electrons truly interests her. Other interests include reading, drawing, camping, and beagles.

Rose wanted to become a STEM Ambassador because of her passion for hands-on STEM learning and her commitment to making science accessible and fun for children of all ages. Through her outreach, she incorporates interactive experiments—such as coding activities, density experiments, and slime-making—to engage young learners in science concepts. She also ensures that every outreach event includes a take-home STEM activity, encouraging continued exploration outside of structured programming. Working in a small rural town, she recognizes the challenges posed by limited resources and strives to introduce children to a broad range of STEM topics, tailoring activities to their interests. By becoming a STEM Ambassador, she hopes to align her programs with PA STEELS standards, refine her approach to STEM education, and continue fostering curiosity and excitement for learning in her community.

Meghan Tanner

Science and Makerspace Educator
Discovery Space
State College

Meghan Tanner is a dedicated science and makerspace educator at Discovery Space and The Rivet in State College, Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate degree in physics from Lock Haven University and completed her master’s degree in physics at Penn State. On the makerspace side, The Rivet, Meghan focuses on 3D modeling and printing for all ages as well as planning youth classes and workshops. Meghan is particularly passionate about creating a safe and inclusive space for students in underrepresented groups, striving to make STEAM accessible to all. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, board games—including Dungeons and Dragons—and spending time with her dog, Olenna.

Meghan wanted to be a STEM Ambassador because she is passionate about expanding access to STEM education, particularly for underrepresented and rural communities. Through her work with PAW+, Discovery Space, and school district partnerships, she has developed and led hands-on STEM programs that connect students with professionals, spark curiosity, and build confidence in STEM learning. She has also worked to ensure inclusiveness by creating programs like STEMPOWERED and GaLS, which provide free opportunities for girls in rural areas to explore STEM careers.

Her experience in curriculum development, outreach and advocacy has reinforced her commitment to making STEM education more engaging and equitable. She has designed and implemented programs that align with educational standards, and she is eager to deepen her knowledge of the PA STEELS standards to enhance informal STEM learning. As a STEM Ambassador, she wants to support out-of-school-time educators in creating meaningful, accessible STEM experiences that inspire the next generation.

Rachel Burcin

Co-Director Robotics Scholars and Global Programs Manager
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh