Sara Lamer

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About

Sara Lamer is an emerging leader in engineering education research, with a focused mission to dismantle gender disparities in traditional engineering disciplines like mechanical and electrical engineering. Her work centers on the transformative potential of soft robotics as a tool for broadening participation, particularly among young female students. In her highly cited 2022 paper, "Using Drawings to Understand Impacts of Soft Robotics Activity on Elementary Age Students’ Perceptions of Robots" (12 citations), Lamer pioneered an innovative practice that uses student drawings to reveal how hands-on soft robotics activities can reshape elementary-aged children’s perceptions of robots and engineers. Building on this, her 2024 work-in-progress, "Understanding Impacts of Soft Robotics Project on Female Students’ Perceptions of Engineering" (6 citations), directly investigates how soft robotics projects can counteract the persistent gender gap seen in K-12 competitive robotics—a common precursor to engineering majors. By challenging the narrow, rigid image of engineering, Lamer’s research offers a compelling, inclusive pathway into the field. Her contributions are vital for educators and curriculum designers seeking to create more equitable STEM learning environments, proving that the materials and contexts we choose can fundamentally alter who sees themselves as an engineer.