Blakely is a senior research scientist and PI in the Open STEM Research Group at UW Bothell with expertise in curriculum development, professional development, culturally relevant teaching and environmental education and has experience teaching both formal and informal K-12 STEM education. She holds a Ph.D. in Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Policy from Michigan State University, an M.Ed. in Science Education from the University of Georgia, and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puget Sound. Her research interests include how to better make connections between students’ everyday lives and school science, identity, engagement and equity issues in education, and environmental literacy.