Joe Michaelis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago in Computer Science and Learning Sciences. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology – Learning Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  After six years as a science educator and FIRST robotics coach in urban middle and high schools, he returned to Madison to pursue research interests in STEM education that focus on improving STEM interest and learning through technological support. Joe's current research focuses on designing learning companion robots and social robotics curriculum to support learning and interest in STEM fields and is supported through several NSF grants.