Sona Kumar

I joined Davidson's Psychology department after completing a postdoc at Purdue University where I was funded by a National Science Foundation postdoctoral training grant (NSF Purdue University Research Program on STEM Education). Prior to that, my graduate work was funded by the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program. 

My research investigates how messages from adults and society about the nature of science as well as who can be a scientist impact children's early science learning and motivation. In particular, I am interested in storybooks as a tool that educators and caregivers can use to boost children's science motivation, especially children from underrepresented groups in STEM. My teaching philosophy centers fostering students' critical thinking and science communication skills. Additionally, I make an effort to provide undergraduate students with first hand research experiences in the classroom and lab.