Kathryn Lanouette

Research Lab

With W & M undergraduate and graduate students, we are studying how young people can engage in science and data science, in ways that are locally relevant and personally meaningful. We are exploring novel approaches to teaching and learning about complex socio-ecological systems at local and regional scales, including an increasing focus on climate change and climate futures. In particular, we are curious how more holistic accounts of learning that center young people’s brilliance, concerns, and care can guide the design of K-8 school, museum, and community organization curricula and collaborations. Much of our work focuses on emerging technologies and their potential (and pitfalls) in supporting such expansive learning.  

To date, students participating in the lab include majors in psychology, education, data science, and integrative conservation but other majors are welcome. If you are interested in participating, reach out.  

Current Students

Audrey Johnston (’26) is a Data Science major from Oak Park, Illinois. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and has been working on the “What is Data?” project. She loves getting to combine her interests in Data Science and Education and is looking forward to expanding the project! Outside of research, Audrey is in two a cappella groups: DoubleTake and No Ceiling. She is also a member of Someone You Know (SYK), a Tour Guide with W&M Admissions, and loves to read on Sunken.
 
Mandy Hoy (’27) is from Denver, Colorado and double majoring in History and Secondary Education (6-12), Social Studies. Since joining the research lab in 2024, she has developed data sets and curated external resources to link Blue Sky Fund trips with broader citizen science initiatives. Additionally, she has contributed to coding and analyzing teacher interviews, helping refine future Blue Sky Fund projects and enhance the curriculum to better serve both students and educators.
Sydney Foxx (’28) is currently undecided about her major. She grew up in northern Virginia and is working on the Learning with and within City Ecosystems Project in Richmond through the Institute for Integrative Conservation Research Program. Her research is focused on how to measure children’s connections to nature and how those connections are forged and nurtured through exposure to the environment. In her free time, Sydney is a member of the Syndicate dance team and enjoys reading. 
Project:  Learning with and within City Ecosystems: Studying Children’s Changing Understandings of Socio-ecological System in Richmond, VA

Alumni

Annamarie Warnke (’25) majored in Data Science and minored in Educational Studies. They are from Newark, Delaware. They have worked on projects about children’s data sensemaking using their schoolyard knowledge and children’s data conceptualization. Outside of the lab, they have done research for geoLab, given campus tours, and participated in community service.