Playful Learning Lab Staff

Creating engaging, hands-on experiences for K-12 students, with an emphasis on real-world applications of the materials covered in the University of St. Thomas engineering department. Below are the faculty and students working within the Playful Learning Lab.

 
 

Faculty Partners

DR. annmarie thomas

The founder and director of the Playful Learning Lab at the University of St. Thomas, Dr. AnnMarie Thomas is passionate about creating engaging learning environments for learners and educators.

Dr. Doug Orzolek

Dr. Doug Orzolek

A Professor of Music and Music Education and Director of the Graduate Programs in Music Education, Doug Orzolek serves as the co-director of the Playful Learning Lab. He is interested in the ways music can harmonize with other disciplines.

 
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Dr. Jeff Jalkio

A member of the physics and engineering faculty at the University of St. Thomas, Jeff serves as a technical advisor for the Playful Learning Lab.

John C.S. Keston

As faculty in the Emerging Media Department at the University of St Thomas, John C.S. Keston teaches audio production, creative coding, and web/graphic design. Keston is a performing artist focusing on experimental music, synthesis, and sound design.

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dr. deb besser

The director of the University of St. Thomas Center for Engineering Education and a research affiliate in the Playful Learning Lab where she directs our educational research efforts.

 

 

Student Researchers

 

Sofia Caballero

(Mechanical Engineering, '25) is a member of the deaf education team and works on providing playful STEAM learning experiences to students.

Cameron Doffing

(Computer Science, Data Analytics, '25) is developing computer science and computational thinking projects for Deaf students as a member of the Deaf Education team.

Bjorn Eggen

(Mechanical Engineering ‘24) is a peer mentor for engineering graphics and design and is helping out wherever he is needed in the Playful Learning Lab.

 

Liz Graham

(Digital Media Arts, '23) is working on the Playful Learning Lab design team.

LISAN HASNAIN

(Computer Science, major and Entrepreneurship, minor, ‘24) is a developer intern at ITS University of St. Thomas, focusing on accessibility testing. Lisan is interested in pursuing a career in UX design. Lisan will investigate alternative techniques for teaching computer science concepts to deaf blind students in the Playful Learning Lab.

Ruby Ho

(Statistics, Data Analytics, '23) is a member of the Design Team of Playful Learning Lab and is currently a PLL website admin and a member of MCM projects.

 
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CLARE HOWARD

(Music Major, Composition Minor, '23) is one of the Lab's music leads, and her main role is arranging OK Go's music. She utilizes her musical training to help music be more accessible.

Mellissa Ingabire

(Mechanical Engineering ’24) is the lead for Minnesota Children’s Museum team in the Lab and part of the Deaf Education team.

Leo Jimenez smiling at the camera

Leo Jimenez

(Mechanical Engineering, ‘25) is a peer mentor on the Engineering Graphics and Design team and is helping out wherever he is needed in the Playful Learning Lab.


 

Maria Johnson

(Entrepreneurship, ’25) is working on the Playful Learning Lab design team and assisting with the Lab’s finances.

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Becca Leininger

(5-8 General Science and 9-12 Life Science Education, ’23) is a member of the education team and participates in several Playful Learning Lab projects, including Minnesota Children's Museum, Humane, playful STEAM for Deaf students, and PlayFEST.

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Carli Lund

(Elementary Education, Spanish, '23) is a member of the education team at the Playful Learning Lab. She enjoys finding new ways to educate and learn through play.

 

Tyler Muchow

(Computer Science, ‘25) is a member of the design team at the Playful Learning Lab.

Meghan McSherry

(Biology, ‘24) is a member of the Deaf Education team and is also working on projects for the Minnesota Children’s Museum. She is looking to make STEAM education accessible to all kinds of people.

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CHARLIE NINOW

(Mechanical Engineering, German, '25) is one of the leads in working with the Open Source Hardware Association and is on the lab's design team, helping with anything hardware-oriented.

 

Makayla quinn

(Psychology, English Minor, ’23) is the Operations Lead for the lab, and manages logistics. She has also led a research project on adult delight with the Minnesota Children’s Museum.

Joel Rodich

(Mechanical Engineering, ’24) is a peer mentor on the Engineering Graphics and Design team and is helping out wherever he can in the Playful Learning Lab.

 Thomas Sucher

(Mechanical Engineering, ‘23) is working on the PLAYground team to bring playful LEGO learning experiences to K-12 Deaf students.

 
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Christina Yang

(Mechanical Engineering, Peace Engineering Minor '23) is a member of the Deaf Education team and is exploring her passion for empowering students through STEAM education.

Bridget Zenk

(Vocal Music Education, Spanish and Theology minor, ’23) is working on the Playing With Sound team to integrate STEAM learning into the elementary music classroom. She is passionate about building students’ confidence within STEAM through play.