Research

PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES

Tai, R. H., Ryoo, J. H., Kong, X., Mitchell, C. E., Skeels-Worley, A., Almarode, J. T., Maltese, A.V., & Dabney, K. P. (2021). Gauging informal STEM youth program impact: A conceptual framework and a measurement instrument. Journal of Youth Development, 16(4), 103-133. doi: 10.5195/jyd.2021.981

Chakraverty, D., Jeffe, D. B., Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (2020). Exploring reasons that U.S. MD-PhD students enter and leave their dual-degree programs. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 15, 461-483. https://doi.org/10.28945/4622

Dabney, K. P., *Good, K. B., *Scott, M. R., *Johnson, T. N., Chakraverty, D., *Milteer, B., & *Gray, A. (2020). Preservice elementary teachers and science instruction: Barriers and supports. Science Educator, 27(2), 92-101.

Dou, R., Hazari, Z., Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (2019). Early informal science and STEM identity: The importance of talking science. Science Education, 103, 623-637. doi: 10.1002/sce.21499

*Johnson, T. N. & Dabney, K. P. (2018). Voices from the field: Constraints encountered by early career elementary science teachers. School Science and Mathematics, 118(6), 244-256. doi: 10.1111/ssm.12290

Dabney, K. P., Chakraverty, D., *Hutton, A. C., Warner, K. A., & Tai, R. H. (2017). The bachelor’s to Ph.D. transition: Factors influencing Ph.D. completion among women in chemistry and physics. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 36(4), 203-210. doi: 10.1177/0270467617710852

Dabney, K. P., *Johnson, T., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (2017). STEM career interest in women and informal science experiences. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 23(3), 249-270. doi: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.2017018018

Tai, R. H., Kong, X., Mitchell, C. E., Dabney, K. P., Read, D. M., Jeffe, D. B., Andriole, D. A., & Wathington, H. D. (2017). Examining summer laboratory research apprenticeships for high school students as a factor on entry in MD/PhD programs at matriculation. CBE-Life Sciences Education, 16(2). doi: 10.1187/cbe.15-07-0161

Dabney, K. P., Tai, R. H., & *Scott, M. R. (2016). Informal science: Family education, experiences, and initial interest in science. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 6(3), 263-282. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2015.1058990

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (2014). Factors associated with female chemist doctoral career choice within the physical sciences. Journal of Chemical Education, 91(11), 1777-1786. doi: 10.1021/ed4008815

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (2014). Comparative analysis of female physicists in the physical sciences: Motivation and background factors. Physics Review Special Topics, Physics Education Research, 10(1), 010104. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.10.010104

Kong, X., Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (2014). The association between science summer camps and career interest in science and engineering. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 4(1), 54-65. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2012.760856

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (2013). Female physicist doctoral experiences. Physics Review Special Topics, Physics Education Research, 9(1), 010115. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.9.010115

Dabney, K. P., Chakraverty, D., & Tai, R. H. (2013). The association of family influence and early interest in science. Science Education, 97(3), 395-409. doi: 10.1002/sce.21060

Dabney, K. P., Tai, R. H., Almarode, J. T., Miller-Friedmann, J. L., Sonnert, G., Sadler, P. M., & Hazari, Z. (2012). Out-of-school time science activities and their association with career interest in STEM. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 2(1), 63-79. doi: 10.1080/21548455.2011.629455

PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Dabney, K., Sonnert, G. & Sadler, P. (2021). Home Support and Elementary Informal STEM Participation. In E. Langran & L. Archambault (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1041-1046). Online, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/219254/.

Dabney, K., *Good, K., Sonnert, G. & Sadler, P. (2020). Elementary Informal STEM Experiences and STEM Career Interest. In D. Schmidt-Crawford (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1159-1163). Online: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/216037/.

Dabney, K., *Good, K., *Scott, M., *Johnson, T., Chakraverty, D., *Milteer, B. & *Gray, A. (2020). Elementary Teacher Preparation and Science Identity Development and Instruction. In D. Schmidt-Crawford (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1388-1394). Online: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/216045/.

*Spotts, K.B., Dabney, K., Sonnert, G. & Sadler, P. (2019). Elementary Informal Engineering Experiences and Participation in Later STEM Experiences. In K. Graziano (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 2335-2339). Las Vegas, NV, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieve from: https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/207975/.

*Spotts, K.B., Dabney, K., Sonnert, G. & Sadler, P. (2019). Elementary Informal STEM and Participation in Later STEM Experiences. In K. Graziano (Ed.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 2340-2344). Las Vegas, NV, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieve from: https://www.learntechlib.org/p/207976.

PEER-REVIEWED BOOK CHAPTERS

Almarode, J. T., Subotnik, R. F., Dabney, K. P., Crowe, E., Tai, R. H., & Kolar, C. (2017). Parent or guardian characteristics and talented students’ persistence in STEM. In K. S. Taber, M. Sumida, & L. McClure (Eds.), Teaching Gifted Learners in STEM Subjects: Developing talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. London, United Kingdom: Routledge.

GRANTS

External Grants and Contracts:

Advisory Board Chair (2020-Present). Study of Preservice Teachers’ Science Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (P-TASK). This project aims to serve the national interest by improving the preparedness of pre-service STEM teachers. For the nation to remain competitive in a global economy driven by technology, excellent STEM teachers are needed to prepare new generations of a large and highly competent STEM workforce. Toward this end, the project will conduct a nationwide study of the strengths and weaknesses of STEM and teaching knowledge of individuals who will soon enter the STEM teaching workforce. (NSF DUE 2013263, IUSE). Project through the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Cambridge, MA. October 2020- September 2023. PI: Phillip Sadler; co-PI: Gerhard Sonnert; co-PI: Susan Sunbury. National Science Foundation (Total Funding: $467,440).

PI Research Collaboration (2018-Present). Impacts of STEM Experiences on Informal STEM Learning. The research will undertake a longitudinal mixed-methods approach of Out of School Time/informal STEM experiences over a five-year time span of data collection for youth ages 9-19 in urban, suburban, town, and rural communities. The evidence base will include data on youth experiences of informal STEM, factors that exert an influence on participation in informal STEM, the impact of participation on choices about educational pathways and careers, and preferences for particular types of learning activities. The quantitative data will include youth surveys, program details (e.g. duration of program, length of each program session, youth/facilitator ratio, etc.), and demographics. The qualitative data will include on-site informal interviews with youth and facilitators, and program documentation. (NSF DRL 1811265, DRL) Project in Collaboration with University of Virginia at Charlottesville, VA. July 2018- July 2023. PI: Robert H. Tai; VCU PI: Katherine P. Dabney. (Total Funding: $687,771.00).

Advisor (2012-2017). Outreach Programs and Science Career Intentions (OPSCI). Serve on the advisory board for grant development and implementation that examines the extent to which informal STEP activities that target pre-college students influence career aspirations. (NSF DUE 1161052, STEP). Project through the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Cambridge, MA. September 2012- August 2017. PI: Phillip Sadler; co-PI: Gerhard Sonnert. (Total Funding: $1,135,426).

PI Research Collaboration (2014-2016). Exploring Longitudinal Research on Out-of-school Time Experiences in STEM (EXPLORE). Grant to design and implement a large scale, multi-programmatic, longitudinal study of United States and United Kingdom informal science learning programs. (NSF DRL 1451275, AISL) Project in Collaboration with University of Virginia at Charlottesville, VA. November 2014- October 2016. PI: Robert H. Tai; VCU PI: Katherine P. Dabney. (Total Funding: $114,099).

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

National and International Refereed Professional Presentations:

Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M.(March/April, 2021). Home Support and Elementary Informal STEM Participation. Presentation at the 2021 annual Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. Online.

Dabney, K. P., *Good, K.B., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (April, 2020). Elementary Informal STEM Experiences and STEM Career Interest. Presentation at the 2020 annual Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. New Orleans, LA.

Dabney, K. P., *Good, K.B., *Scott, M. R., *Johnson, T. N., Chakraverty, D., *Milteer, B. & *Gray, A. (April, 2020). Elementary Teacher Preparation and Science Identity Development and Instruction. Presentation at the 2020 annual Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. New Orleans, LA.

*Spotts, K.B. & Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (March, 2019). Elementary Informal STEM and Participation in Later STEM Experiences. Presentation at the 2019 annual Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. Las Vegas, NV.

*Spotts, K.B. & Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (March, 2019). Elementary Informal Engineering Experiences and Participation in Later STEM Experiences. Presentation at the 2019 annual Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education. Las Vegas, NV.

Dou, R., Hazari, Z., Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (September, 2018). Examining early informal STEM experiences and STEM identity: The importance of ‘talking science’. Presentation at the 2018 annual Association of Zoos and Aquariums conference. Seattle, WA.

Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., Bae, C. L., & Sadler, P. M. (April, 2018). STEM Experiences and Computer Science Career Interest. Presentation at the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association. New York, NY.

Bae, C., Hayes, K. N., & Dabney, K. P. (April, 2018). The Roles of Student Characteristics and Classroom Learning Opportunities in Science Achievement: A Multilevel Approach. Presentation at the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association. New York, NY.

Chakraverty, D., Dabney, K. P., Jeffe, D.B., & Tai, R.H. (April, 2018). Pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Science: Reasons and Challenges. Presentation at the 2018 annual American Educational Research Association. New York, NY.

Dou, R., Hazari, Z., Dabney, K. P., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (April, 2018). Talking Science: Experiences that Predict STEM Identity and Career Goals. Presentation at the 2018 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Atlanta, GA.

Dabney, K. P., *Johnson, T. N., Hazari, Z., Dou, R., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (April, 2017). Elementary, Middle, and High School Out-of‐School Time Science Experiences and STEM Career Interest. Presentation at the 2017 annual American Educational Research Association. San Antonio, TX.

*Johnson, T. N., Dabney, K. P., Hazari, Z., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. M. (April, 2017). The Association Between K-12 Out-of-School Time Science and STEM Identity at the Beginning of College. Presentation at the 2017 annual American Educational Research Association. San Antonio, TX.

Dabney, K. P., *Hutton, A. C., Chakraverty, D., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2017). Physics Doctoral Retention and Graduation: Gender and Pre-Doctoral Factors. Presentation at the 2017 annual American Educational Research Association. San Antonio, TX.

*Johnson, T. N. & Dabney, K. P. (April, 2017). Voices from the Field: Constraints Encountered by Early Career Elementary Science Teachers. Presentation at the 2017 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. San Antonio, TX.

Dabney, K. P., *Scott, M. R., *Hutton, A. C., & *Perry, S. J. (April, 2016). Pre-service Elementary Teachers and Science Instruction: Barriers and Supports. Presentation at the 2016 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Baltimore, Maryland.

Dabney, K. P., Sadler, P. M., & Sonnert, G. (April, 2016). Out-of-School Time Science Activities and Their Association with Female Career Interest in STEM. Presentation at the 2016 annual American Educational Research Association. Washington, D.C.

*Scott, M. R., & Dabney, K. P. (April, 2016). Identity Development of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers as Teachers of Culturally Diverse Students. Presentation at the 2016 annual American Educational Research Association. Washington, D.C.

Dabney, K. P., *Hutton, A. C., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2016). Chemist Doctoral Retention and Graduation: Gender and Pre-Doctoral Factors. Presentation at the 2016 annual American Educational Research Association. Washington, D.C.

Tai, R. H., Dabney, K. P., Maltese, A. V., & Almarode, J. T. (April, 2016). Learning Activities and Early Career Interest. Presentation at the 2016 annual American Educational Research Association. Washington, D.C.

Tai, R. H., Dabney, K. P., Ryoo, J. H., Almarode, J. T., Bennett, J., & Airey, J. (March, 2016). PROJECT EXPLORE: Exploring Longitudinal Research on Out-of-school Time Experiences in STEM. Presentation at the 2016 National Science Foundation AISL PI Meeting. North Bethesda, Maryland.

Dabney, K. P., Tai, R. H., Maltese, A. V., & Almarode, J. T. (April, 2015). Gender and Early Career Choice in STEM. Presentation at the 2015 annual American Educational Research Association. Chicago, Illinois.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2015). Time to Ph.D. of Women in Physics- Early Motivation and Background Factors. Presentation at the 2015 annual American Educational Research Association. Chicago, Illinois.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2014). A Comparative Analysis of Female Chemists in the Physical Sciences- Motivation and Background Factors. Presentation at the 2014 annual American Educational Research Association. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2014). The Association of Parental Education and Family Interest in Science. Presentation at the 2014 annual American Educational Research Association. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (March, 2014). Differences Within: A Comparative Analysis of Women in the Physical Sciences. Presentation at the 2014 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dabney, K. P. (Chair) (May, 2013). Engaging Science Programs and Practices in Out-of-School Contexts. Presentation at the 2013 annual American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, California.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (May, 2013). A Comparative Analysis of Female Physicists in the Physical Sciences- Motivation and Background Factors. Presentation at the 2013 annual American Educational Research Association. San Francisco, California.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2012). Career Satisfaction and Success of Physical Scientists in Project Crossover. Presentation at the 2012 annual American Educational Research Association. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Dabney, K. P., Chakraverty, D., Almarode, J. T., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2012). The Association of Parental Influence on Early Interest in Science. Presentation at the 2012 annual American Educational Research Association. Vancouver, British, Canada.

Dabney, K. P., Wyss, V. L., & Tai, R. H. (March, 2012). Female Physicist Doctoral Experiences and Career Choice Factors. Presentation at the 2012 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Miller-Friedmann, J. L., Sonnert, G., Sadler, P. M., & Dabney, K. P. (March, 2012). The Effect Out-of-School-Time Programs on Career Interest in STEM. Presentation at the 2012 annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Almarode, J. T., Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2011). The Impact of Taking Algebra I in the Eighth Grade on Success in College Calculus. Presented at the annual American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, Louisiana.

Almarode, J. T., Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (April, 2011). Out-of-School Time Science Activities and Their Association with Career Interest in STEM. Presented at the annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching. Orlando, Florida.

Kogan, L.R., Bowers, K., Dabney, K. P., Fjeseth, J., Slickard, B., & Rickard, M. (April, 2000). Women’s fashion magazines: What is their message? Presented at the annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association. Tuscon, Arizona.

Non-Refereed Invited Professional Presentations:

Dabney, K. P. (May, 2017). Explorations of Informal Science and STEM Career Interest. Presented at the Advisory Panel Meeting for Project OPSCI: Outreach Programs and Science Career. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Cambridge, MA.

Tai, R. H., Dabney, K. P., Ryoo, J. H., Almarode, J. T., Bennett, J., & Airey, J. (March, 2016). Project EXPLORE: Exploring Longitudinal Research on Out-of-school Time Experiences in STEM. Presentation at the 2016 National Science Foundation AISL PI Meeting. North Bethesda, Maryland.

Dabney, K. P. (March, 2014). Diversity in the Elementary Science Classroom. Presentation at Metropolitan State University School of Education. Denver, Colorado.

Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (May, 2012). An Examination of Factors Associated with Entry and Retention in the Scientific Workforce: A Perspective from the Physical Sciences. Presented at the Scientific Workforce and Modeling Group. John Glenn School of Public Policy. Columbus, OH.

Hall, M. T., Dabney, K. P., Chakraverty, D., Mitchell, C., Wathington, H., & Tai, R. H. (August, 2011). Transitions in the Education of Minorities Underrepresented in Research: Project TREMUR. Presented at the annual National Institutes of Health Interventions 2011 Progress Report Meeting. San Francisco, CA.

Dabney, K. P., Almarode, J. T., & Tai, R. H. (June, 2011). Structural Equation Modeling of Variables. Presented at the annual Advisory Panel Meeting for Project FICSMath: Factors Influencing College Success in Mathematics. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Cambridge, MA.

Almarode, J. T., Dabney, K. P., & Tai, R. H. (June, 2010). FICSMath Preliminary Interests and Analyses. Presented at the annual Advisory Panel Meeting for Project FICSMath: Factors Influencing College Success in Mathematics. Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Cambridge, MA.

*Indicates student author from the VCU Early Science Education Research Group.