Meet the team

Joy Parvin - Director

I have been working with CIEC since 1992, having started writing resource materials as a teacher two years previously. I am responsible for the overall strategy, business planning, finance and fundraising, direction and management of CIEC.

In addition, I sit on a number of education committees, contribute to national and international conferences to provide professional development consultation, and disseminate the work of CIEC.

Jo Eastwood - Administrator

In 2019, after nine years at the University as PA to the Head of the Department of Chemistry, I joined CIEC as Administrator. I love the diversity of the role, and no two days are ever the same with a fast-changing pace that keeps me on my toes!

I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of CIEC’s administration, and provide support to the Director and a team of colleagues to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the office.

I also contribute to the development of new systems and initiatives, and assist with the design and creation of promotional materials for both printed and online publications and resources.

Jane Winter - Professional Development Leader

I joined CIEC in 2014 after many years teaching and leading science in Lincolnshire schools. My role includes developing and leading hands-on practical courses for teachers at the STEM Learning Centre and around the country.

I mentor on several online science-based courses which are accessed by teachers from around the world, and also write and edit publications for EYFS and primary science teachers.

Nicola Waller - Professional Development Leader

My current role with CIEC has evolved since starting as an advisory teacher for the Children Challenging Industry programme in 2004. I now also plan, lead and present a wide range of exciting training packages for primary teachers, mainly at the National STEM Learning Centre in York, but also at courses and conferences around the country.

In addition to this, I write and edit educational resources for teachers, many linking with industry and making the real world accessible to primary-aged children.

Mackayla Millar - Advisory Teacher

I joined CIEC in February 2020 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the North East to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

I provide CPD for teachers on raising the science capital of all children through meaningful links to industry, and support STEM professionals to host school visits that provide curriculum-relevant interactions unique to their company.

I have also written the IndusTRY AT HOME series of educational resources, designed to develop children’s scientific skills and to bring some of our exciting range of activities to children learning from home.

Rebecca Cornwell - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC in January 2024 as an advisory teacher, following a Primary School teaching career where I led science and curriculum development.  I deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme; working with schools and industry partners in the North East of England to deliver science activities set within real world industrial contexts.

I provide CPD for teachers on raising the science capital of all children through meaningful links to industry, and support STEM professionals to host school visits that provide curriculum-relevant interactions unique to their company.

Clare Draper - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC team in September 2023 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the East of England to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

I provide CPD for teachers on raising the science capital of all children through meaningful links to industry, and support STEM professionals to host school visits that provide curriculum-relevant interactions unique to their company.

Alongside this, I teach in a new, STEM-focused primary school in Cambridge as the Curriculum Development Lead.

Melanie Boyeson - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC team in September 2022 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the Humber region to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

I provide CPD for teachers on raising the science capital of all children through meaningful links to industry, and support STEM professionals to host school visits that provide curriculum-relevant interactions unique to their company.

In addition, I mentor primary science leaders through an award accreditation programme / the Primary Science Quality Mark, have the Associate Facilitator badge for STEM Learning, and have compiled and shared online STEM educational resources. I was awarded the PSTT Primary Science Teaching Award 2021, becoming a Primary Science Teaching Trust Fellow, after a decade of leading primary science forwards in my school and local area.

Ana Benavides Lahnstein - Research Associate in Science Education

I joined the CIEC team in April 2022 as a Research Associate in Science Education to support the research-led assessment of the industry collaboration programmes through the 'voices' of teachers, children, and other stakeholders who take part.

Helen Harden - Curriculum Developer

I joined CIEC as a curriculum developer in Autumn 2023 following several years as chemistry lead on the Best Evidence Science Teaching project. My role includes extensive searching and reading of the research literature on children’s misconceptions in science. I interpret and summarise what I discover to support the development of educational resources.

Louisa Hart - Resource Developer

I joined CIEC in September 2023 as a resource developer and am responsible for creating KS1 science lessons and quizzes for Oak National Academy. I am an experienced primary teacher and have spent the last 20 years working across KS1 and Early Years as well as leading science for over a decade. I am a qualified Forest School leader and love to take learning outdoors when I can, especially in science.

Hester Binge - Resource Developer

I joined CIEC in September 2023 as a resource developer and am responsible for creating LKS2 science lessons and quizzes for Oak National Academy. 

I am an experienced primary teacher and have spent 15 years working across the primary curriculum. In the last 20 years I have, as an education consultant, worked for Local authorities and Science learning centres to support science school improvement and create and facilitate Science CPD.

I am also PSQM hub leader and Positive Intelligence Coach. My aim is to help children understand the world they live in through creative science lessons.

Katharine Pemberton - Resource Developer

I joined CIEC in 2023 after teaching and leading science in primary schools in Devon. I am working, in collaboration with the Oak National Academy, to develop science lessons for primary schools.

In addition, I am the area mentor for the southwest for the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and was awarded the PSTT Primary science Teaching Award in 2019. I am a hub leader for the Primary Science Quality Mark scheme and a trainer in the Primary Science Capital Teaching Approach.

I am a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Education Awards Committee and, in 2022, was on the judging panel for the Royal Society’s Young People’s book prize. Before teaching, I worked as a research scientist. My work focussed on comparing different ways to measure photosynthesis and primary production by phytoplankton.

Kathryn Horan - Resource Developer

I joined the CIEC team in September 2023 as a resource developer. I work as part of the primary team, creating lesson resources for the Oak National Academy.

Outside of my role with the CIEC, I work as a Hub Leader for PSQM, an Area Mentor for the PSTT and a CPD facilitator for STEM Learning. I also work as an independent consultant and author, supporting schools with improving their science provision.

Alisha Panchal - Lesson Recorder

I am a new member of CIEC, and my role involves recording primary science lessons for KS1 and KS2.

I have extensive knowledge of the primary National Curriculum as I have a wealth of experience teaching in a range of year groups, from Reception to Year 6. Within my various roles, I have successfully led Science in a large three-form entry school in Outer London and gained Primary Science Quality Mark Gilt in 2022. Along with this, I have supported many teachers with developing their science teaching and delivered CPD sessions for other subjects leads across the borough.

Maria Mehrin - Lesson Recorder

I joined CIEC in October 2023 as a part time resource developer, creating Primary Science videos for Oak National Academy.

Outside of this role, I serve as the Science and STEM co-ordinator at Iqra Primary Academy in Bradford, where I also hold the position of Head of Year 6.

I am passionate about fostering dreams and raising aspirations and actively work towards inspiring all children to reach their fullest potential. At present, I am working with a group of children to reduce air pollution in Bradford in collaboration with Bradford Council. I've had the privilege of working with students who achieved recognition, securing awards like the Business of Science 2022, Rolls Royce Special Merit Award, and various local accolades for their outstanding contributions, particularly in the realm of air pollution reduction. I am excited to continue making a positive impact in education and working with the community.  I am currently working towards the PSQM Outreach award.

Abdullah - Web Developer

I first joined CIEC in the summer of 2021 as an intern where my work included updating and uploading the school resource publications to the CIEC website. Afterwards, I worked part-time throughout my second year, and now my work ranges from web development, PDF designs and reports with Adobe.

Outside of my role with the CIEC, I'm a final year Computer Science, and have a year of experience building full-stack applications in an agile environment.