After graduating from Coventry High School in 1991, Shannon Donovan
became a Rhody Ram, graduating from URI with a BS in Botany. She
worked in the biotechnology industry for two years before returning to URI
to complete her MS in Biological Science where she studied plant cell
biology. A year into her PhD program, Shannon was awarded a GK-12
Fellowship in Marine and Environmental Science Education, a program that
matched her with a classroom teacher for a year to enhance students’ project-
based learning and increase exposure to research science. From that time
forward, she was hooked on working with kids with a goal of promoting
enthusiasm and love for science!

She left her PhD program to become a classroom teacher. Shannon has
spent 16 years teaching science and engineering at Scituate High School,
during which time she earned much recognition for her efforts in the areas of
environmental education and project-based learning. Shannon was named
the Rhode Island Teacher of the Year in 2011. She continues to work as a
facilitator of workshops for teachers in the region with the National Energy
Education Development Project, and is State Advisor of the Technology
Student Association. In addition, she has written numerous grants to benefit
the students of Scituate.

At the time of this award, Shannon serves as the District K-12 STEAM
Coordinator for the Scituate School Department and the CTE Coordinator for
Scituate High School. We are extremely proud of the difference that Shannon
has made as she continues to promote a love of science among her students at a
critical time for planet earth.