We’re pleased to introduce two new members of our team: Regional STEM Coordinators Ti’Era Worsley and Christine Hirst Bernhardt.
Ti’Era joins NOVA SySTEMic from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was a Postdoctoral Researcher working with historically marginalized youth in informal makerspaces at the local Boys and Girls Club. During her time there, Ti’Era worked with youth for six years in STEM education, overseeing various projects ranging from circuitry, coding, robotics, to construction.
Ti’Era describes herself as a “Certified Tinkerer,” a passion she developed during her childhood. This interest led her to earn a Bachelor’s in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Technology and a Master of Natural Resources, both from North Carolina State University.
While pursuing her Master’s, she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer through the Masters International program. From 2015 to 2017, Ti’Era served in Northern Peru as a Community-Based Environmental Manager, where she focused on raising awareness of environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources, and solid waste management (recycling).
Upon her return, she continued her work with youth and earned her Ph.D. in STEM Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Ti’Era is passionate about fostering community by placing a high value on building relationships with youth as they engage in STEM.
When she’s not working, Ti’Era enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Ti’Era can be reached at tworsley@nvcc.edu
Christine Hirst Bernhardt brings nearly two decades of experience teaching STEM and astronomy in both secondary and college. She is interested in using Earth and Space topics as a transdisciplinary gateway to STEM and conduit of agency, particularly in early learning.
In 2021-2022 she served in Congress as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow to advance federal STEM education initiatives. Her enthusiasm for all things space fostered the Excellence in Astronomy Teaching award and participation on NASA’s SOFIA mission. She has developed regional, State, and National materials such as a high-altitude balloon experiment program, the first student space symposium and an international space camp.
Christine identifies and addresses national needs in Earth and Space education as the US chair of the National Astronomy Education Coordinator team and US member of the Global Leadership in Earth Science Education. She is a PhD Candidate in STEM Education and holds Master’s in both Space Studies and Science Education.
A California native, Christine loves all things adventure; as a retired professional mountain biker, she’s often on the trails or the bike park when she’s not recovering from knee surgery. Christine has traveled to nearly 30 countries and is a proud boy mom of humans and dogs.
Christine can be reached at lhirst@nvcc.edu