Sylvia Butterfield

Dr. Sylvia Butterfield is the deputy assistant director for the NSF's Directorate for STEM Education (EDU), which supports curiosity-driven and use-inspired research to enhance learning and teaching, as well as comprehensive efforts to achieve excellence in U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. As the deputy assistant director, she oversees aspects of directorate program development, staffing, performance management, and internal and external communications. During her tenure of more than 20 years at NSF, Dr. Butterfield has served in numerous leadership roles in programs and administration. She completed a 14-month appointment as the acting assistant director for the SBE directorate and a 12-month appointment as the acting assistant director of the EDU directorate.

Dr. Butterfield previously served as the co-chair of the National Science and Technology Council Federal Coordination in STEM subcommittee and the co-chair of the Interagency Working Group on Inclusion in STEM, Broadening Participation Interagency Working Group, and was a member of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Student Science Enrichment Program Advisory Committee from 2012-2016. Dr. Butterfield is the author of multiple science education publications, journal articles, and children's science books. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University in Maryland, a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate in Science Education from Morgan State University.