Chris Thomas

STEM Instructor, Experiential Learning Lead

Durham

Joined NCSSM in October 2007

The founding faculty member of the NCSSM Online Program that now serves 500+ students statewide, Chris Thomas has, since 2007, contributed greatly, from setting procedures and initiating processes to creating key academic components of a new school. In addition to developing the program and supporting faculty course development in NCSSM Online, he supported expansion of the Durham Mentorship and Research Program and building of instructional best practices in coaching off-campus student research. Chris now leads programs in student STEM research, experiential learning, and workforce development, including co-directing the 40-year-old Summer Ventures in Science and Math Program and directing the NC Student Academy of Science. This work includes partnerships with many organizations and academic partners, including NC Biotechnology Center, Spark NC, District C, NC Science and Engineering Fair, American Junior Academy of Science, National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, SNCURCS, and numerous UNC campuses. He also continues to teach courses including Earth Science, Teamship, AP Seminar, and in January Term, and is a certified District C Teamship coach.

Prior to NCSSM, Chris co-developed through grants several online science courses and laboratories at Indiana University-Indianapolis as a lecturer in earth science, and served as a senior scientist on an NSF funded grant on geoscience education in climate change. He also worked as a software technical writer in support of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center.

BS, Geology/Communication, Juniata College
MS, Geology, Vanderbilt University
MTSC, Technical and Scientific Communication, Miami University