Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Manuscripts
Awards
References
Training
Conference Papers
Professional Interests
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Ruth M. Mathenge

Raleigh

Summary

A highly qualified science education expert and transformative pedagogies champion; experienced high school Physics and Mathematics teaching, student mentorship, curriculum development, and leadership. Passionate about traditional values, classical learning, and student-centered instruction to promote ethical behavior, critical thinking, and virtuous leadership. Currently completing a Ph.D. in Science Education, with a focus on practical, student-centered pedagogy. Proven ability to collaborate with colleagues, engage families, and maintain professional standards in dynamic academic settings.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Curriculum Developer

North Carolina State University
Raleigh
01.2025 - Current

Company Overview: College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University

  • Evaluated previous student performance data to identify curriculum improvement opportunities.
  • Updated the environmental first-year course curricula by collaborating with water, geology, and biology faculty to refine the water and biodiversity modules.
  • Led discussions among faculty on enhancements to existing course content.
  • Documented curriculum development processes, materials, and outcomes.
  • Developed assessments that effectively measure student achievement of learning objectives.
  • Incorporated technology and fieldwork into the course to improve students' experiential experience.

Instructor of Record

North Carolina State University
Raleigh
08.2024 - 12.2024

Company Overview: College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University

  • Developed supplemental learning materials through research on course curriculum topics.
  • Tutored individual students during office hours to support academic achievement in struggling learners.
  • Maintained accurate attendance and grading records for all students.
  • Conducted engaging lectures and group activities to elevate the student learning experience.
  • Implemented technology into lessons to foster enhanced learning outcomes.
  • Planned and took students to more than six field trips related to course topics for experiential learning opportunities.
  • Worked with fellow instructors on curriculum planning and assessment strategies.
  • Adapted instructional materials for diverse learner needs to promote inclusivity.

Graduate Research Assistant

North Carolina State University
Raleigh
06.2023 - 08.2024

Company Overview: College of Education, North Carolina State University.

  • Contributed to the design of studies, emphasizing protocols and data-gathering techniques
  • Collaborated with science teachers from a public middle school to design and implement lessons on energy and properties of matter units, integrating immersive virtual reality.
  • I co-authored three academic manuscripts and my dissertation, which showcase key research findings on integrating immersive virtual reality at the middle school level.
  • Collaborated on a grant proposal with faculty members to attract supplemental funding.
  • Attended weekly lab meetings to facilitate discussions on ongoing research initiatives.
  • Presented findings at national conferences: NARST, AACTE.
  • I conducted a professional development session at the NCSTA Teachers Conference on integrating technology in teaching science.

Graduate Teaching Assistant

North Carolina State University
Raleigh
08.2021 - 05.2023

Company Overview: Department of Teaching and Learning in STEM.

  • Collaborated with faculty in class preparation and teaching.
  • Graded assignments and exams, delivering constructive feedback on performance.
  • Tracked and evaluated student-teacher interactions at secondary and middle schools.
  • Co-hosted a campus visit for student teachers in the MA program on integrating technology tools in teaching STEM subjects.
  • Facilitated engaging discussions among students during class sessions.
  • Conducted weekly office hours, offering academic guidance and support to student teachers.

Summer School Instructor

North Carolina State University
Raleigh
06.2022 - 08.2022

Company Overview: College of Science – The Science House.

  • Assisted in developing educational materials for use in the classroom setting.
  • Conducted hands-on investigations to captivate middle and elementary students' interest in science.
  • Organized and conducted field and laboratory trips to promote enthusiasm for STEM disciplines.
  • Implemented leadership and college readiness initiatives, introducing students to STEM-related careers and mentors.
  • Enhanced student confidence in STEM fields through targeted mentorship programs.

Graduate Assistant

Friday Institute for Education Innovation
Raleigh
06.2022 - 08.2022
  • Conducted interviews to gather insights on different research questions
  • Performed data analysis to support research findings and enhance project accuracy.
  • Reviewed peer manuscripts to ensure quality and adherence to publication standards.

Head of Mathematics Department & Physics Instructor

Ngong Township High School
Kajiado County
09.2019 - 07.2021
  • Led and managed a team of nine teachers, ensuring all tasks were completed efficiently and on time.
  • Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
  • Managed inventory and supplies to ensure materials were available when needed.
  • Created engaging Math and physics lessons that utilized multimedia resources and interactive activities.
  • Evaluated student work against established standards, offering constructive feedback for improvement.
  • Designed course materials, including syllabi and assignments, to encourage active student participation.
  • Mentored students on career paths.

Class Tutor & Physics/ Mathematics Instructor

The Mary Leakey Girls High School
Kiambu County
07.2010 - 08.2018
  • Developed lesson plans and teaching materials to enhance effective learning in physics and mathematics.
  • Fostered a productive learning environment through positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Conducted one-on-one and group tutoring sessions to deepen understanding of subject matter.
  • Facilitated discussions and interactive activities to promote student engagement.
  • Maintained up-to-date records of student attendance and grades for accurate assessment.
  • Attended teacher meetings to discuss curriculum updates and improvements.
  • Provided guidance and mentorship to students, supporting academic growth.

Mathematics and Integrated Science Tutor

St. Marks Teachers’ Training College
Nakuru County
09.2009 - 06.2010
  • Developed lesson plans and teaching materials to enhance effective learning in integrated science and mathematics.
  • Fostered a productive learning environment through positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Facilitated discussions and interactive activities to promote student engagement.
  • Maintained up-to-date records of student attendance and grades for accurate assessment.
  • Attended teacher meetings to discuss curriculum updates and improvements.
  • Evaluated and supported the student’s practical teaching in local schools.

Physics and Mathematics Tutor

Gichobo Secondary School
Nakuru County
01.2009 - 08.2009
  • Developed lesson plans and teaching materials to enhance effective learning in physics and mathematics.
  • Fostered a productive learning environment through positive reinforcement strategies.
  • Conducted one-on-one and group tutoring sessions to deepen understanding of subject matter.
  • Facilitated discussions and interactive activities to promote student engagement.
  • Maintained up-to-date records of student attendance and grades for accurate assessment.
  • Attended teacher meetings to discuss curriculum updates and improvements.
  • Provided guidance and mentorship to students, supporting academic growth.

Education

Ph.D. - Science Education

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
07.2025

M.Ed. - science education

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
08-2019

B.Ed. - Education (Science)

Kenyatta University
Nairobi, Kenya
12-2008

Skills

  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Team player
  • Team leadership
  • Digital learning platforms
  • Pedagogical research
  • Interactive learning
  • Online learning platforms
  • Technology Use in Education
  • Curriculum development

Affiliations

  • Ambassador, American Association of College and Teacher Education (AACTE)- NC State Chapter of the Holmes Scholar program
  • Member, National Association for Research in Science Teaching
  • Member, American Association of Physics Teachers
  • Member, East Africa Astronomical Society
  • Member, Eastern Africa Network for Women in Basic Sciences

Manuscripts

 Peterson, M., Delgado, C., Planchart, R., Kulasingam, R., Wu, L., Harper-Gampp, T., Mathenge, R., Cheng, F., Sekelsky, B., Anderson, A. L., Chen, K. B., (2025). Function mapping: Guidance for multidisciplinary teams in making theoretically grounded design decisions in the development of interactive systems,The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation. 

Harper-Gampp, T., Delgado, C., Mathenge, R., Peterson, M., Chen, K. B., (2025). Incorporating VR to Support Student Learning of Scale, Proportion, and Quantity in a Middle School Unit on Energy Production .

Mathenge, R., Delgado C., (2025)Immersive Virtual Reality in the Science Classroom: Impacts on Middle School Students’ Conceptual Understanding of Atomic Scale and Structure, Mathenge, R., 2025

Awards

  • Agnes and Garfield Stiff Travel Award, Department of Teaching and Learning in STEM, North Carolina State University, 2024, $500
  • National Association of Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Graduate Student Committee Travel Scholarship Award, 2024, $500
  • Graduate Research Assistantship, 2023/2024, $50,388
  • Graduate Students Research Experience Internship, 2022, $1,000
  • Graduate Teaching Assistantship, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, $50,388 p.a.
  • Provost Fellowship award, 2021, $4,000
  • East Africa Development Bank and America Africa Institute Scholarship award, 2018/2019, $55,000 p.a.
  • Summer school on Atmospheric characterization and Adaptive Optics, 2012, $2,000

References

  • Dr. Cesar Delgado, Advisor, Department of Teaching and Learning in STEM, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, cdelgad@ncsu.edu
  • Prof. Eugenia Etkina, Advisor, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, eugenia.etkina@gmail.com
  • Prof. Gail Jones, Friday Institute of Research and Education Innovation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, mgjones3@ncsu.edu

Training

  • Scale Cognition through an Advanced Virtual learning Environment, 11/03/23, Winston-Salem, NC
  • ICT Integration in teaching and Learning, 02/07/20, Kajiado, Kenya
  • First Regional workshop on Gender equity in STEM, 11/28/19, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Teaching the world Forum and Urban Teaching Matters, 03/30/19, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Strengthening Science and Mathematics for Secondary School Education Inservice Teachers Training, 04/2016
  • The Third Astronomical Society workshop, 11/20/12, Kampala, Uganda
  • South African Astronomical Observatory Summer school on Atmospheric characterization and Adaptive Optics, 12/03/12, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Strengthening Science and Mathematics for Secondary School Education Inservice Teachers Training, 04/2011

Conference Papers

  • Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environments on Students’ Conceptualization of the Structure and Scale of the Atom, 02/25, Annual Conference of the American Association of College Teachers Educators (AACTE), Long Beach, CA
  • Impact of an VR Science Lesson on Reform-Oriented Nature of Science Instruction, 02/24, Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Denver, CO
  • Co-designing a Science Lesson with VR in Middle School Science, 02/24, Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Denver, CO
  • Impact of VR Science Lesson on Students’ Knowledge of Scale, 02/24, Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Denver, CO
  • Student Impressions about a VR Science Lesson, 02/24, Annual Conference of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST), Denver, CO
  • Immersive Virtual Reality Expands Middle School Students’ Scale Reasoning Beyond the Visible, 02/24, Annual Conference of the American Association Educational Association, Philadelphia, PA

Professional Interests

Educational Technology, Authentic learning, Curriculum Development, Preservice Teacher Education, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Undergraduate and master’s Level Science Education Coursework

Accomplishments

  • Evaluated at 4.5/5.0 as an instructor of record in ENV 101, above the department average score of 4.4/5.0.
  • Recorded the highest mean score in physics of (8.3- B) at Mary Leakey Girls High school in the national exams in 2014
  • Awarded for the most improved school in mathematics and physics subjects in Kikuyu county in 2014 and 2017

Certification

TSC/507343/ Y- Teachers Certificate of Registration valid for junior and secondary school Grades 7- 12

Timeline

Curriculum Developer

North Carolina State University
01.2025 - Current

Instructor of Record

North Carolina State University
08.2024 - 12.2024

Graduate Research Assistant

North Carolina State University
06.2023 - 08.2024

Summer School Instructor

North Carolina State University
06.2022 - 08.2022

Graduate Assistant

Friday Institute for Education Innovation
06.2022 - 08.2022

Graduate Teaching Assistant

North Carolina State University
08.2021 - 05.2023

Head of Mathematics Department & Physics Instructor

Ngong Township High School
09.2019 - 07.2021

Class Tutor & Physics/ Mathematics Instructor

The Mary Leakey Girls High School
07.2010 - 08.2018

Mathematics and Integrated Science Tutor

St. Marks Teachers’ Training College
09.2009 - 06.2010

Physics and Mathematics Tutor

Gichobo Secondary School
01.2009 - 08.2009

Ph.D. - Science Education

North Carolina State University

M.Ed. - science education

Rutgers University

B.Ed. - Education (Science)

Kenyatta University
Ruth M. Mathenge