Principle Investigator
CurrentHe is Principle Investigator of the Voyage to Galapagos project to develop a differentiated assistance model that is based on knowledge about what kinds of assistance are most effective for students of differing abilities as they work in an inquiry-driven learning environment for science content. Dr. Brenner is also co-Principle Investigator of multiple projects to develop simulation-based assessments in science for middle and high school including: Fostering Model-based Learning of Human Body Systems through Simulation-Based Investigations, SimScientists Assessment System: Life Sciences, and SimScientists Assessments: Physical Science Links. He is the technology manager of the Ruby on Rails-based application, SimScientists Learning Management System, for teachers to access the assessments and administer them to over 10,000 students. He was part of the team at WestEd engaged by the National Assessment Governing Body to develop an interactive online version of the new 2014 NAEP Technology and Engineering Literacy Framework and was responsible for developing the website specifications and interactivity features. He also participates in the Change the Equation STEMworks initiative to create a public database from rigorously reviewed programs that deepen young people's learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
