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About

Susan Zvacek’s research lies at the intersection of educational technology, STEAM pedagogy, and inclusive design, with a particular focus on broadening participation in science and engineering. Her most cited work, “Educational Robotics for All: Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion in STEAM” (2020, 22 citations), establishes a foundational framework for using robotics and computational thinking as tools to promote equity in STEAM education. Zvacek argues that these hands-on technologies can be intentionally designed and implemented to engage diverse learners, challenging traditional stereotypes about who belongs in technical fields. She extends this work through the MOOC “STEAM4ALL,” where she investigates how massive open online courses can address gender disparities. Her 2021 paper on the course’s preliminary results (2 citations) analyzes participant engagement and the effectiveness of a dedicated module on gender and STEAM. Though early in citation impact, this work reflects a growing commitment to scalable, inclusive educational interventions. Zvacek’s contributions are notable for their practical orientation—she not only critiques exclusionary practices but also provides concrete pedagogical strategies and open-access resources. For students and researchers, her work offers a compelling model of how to integrate social justice principles directly into curriculum design, making STEAM education more accessible and representative.