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Biography

Drawing upon her expertise in child development, Mari Strand Cary, Ph.D., develops and maximizes the implementation and effects of educational technology. Improving early elementary mathematics instruction - especially for students with or at risk for mathematics learning difficulties - is a current goal. As Principal Investigator on an OSEP-funded Stepping Up Technology grant, she is completing refinements to the KinderTEK system of iPad-based individualized math instruction. She has led evaluations of KinderTEK funded by OSEP (pilot study, 2017-18; dissemination study, 2018-19) and by the Institute for Education Sciences (ongoing large-scale efficacy study, 2017-2021). Dr. Strand Cary is also currently involved in regional STEM and technology initiatives. With federal funding and in partnership with area districts, she works to increase underserved students' participation and engagement in these areas. Dr. Strand Cary received degrees from the University of Puget Sound and University of Minnesota's Institute for Child Development, then completed post-doctoral training at Carnegie Mellon University. She writes and reviews for highly rated peer-reviewed journals and presents project activities and findings at national technology, education, and special education conferences and local and national outreach events.