Paul Freiling
A scientist talks about the power of collaborative, problem-based education to solve real problems and foster true learning.
Director of Engineering and Technology Education, St. Louis Science Center
Paul Freiling has served as the director of emerging technology for the St. Louis Science Center since 2012. Through this role, Paul leads the Science Center’s Engineering and Technology Education Initiatives which includes the development of themed experiences. Through unique partnership collaborations with Boeing, Disney, NASA, XPRIZE, and FIRST Robotics, Paul has helped launch a variety of new and innovative educational programs at the St. Louis Science Center.
Paul also serves as the FIRST Robotics regional director in St. Louis. FIRST engages kids in kindergarten through high school in an exciting STEM-based program that uses robots as the hook to build science, engineering, and technology skills, to inspire innovation, and to foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership. Over the past decade, Paul has worked to realize FIRST’s vision of creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders. Paul’s efforts have been recognized by the St. Louis Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE) with their highest honor for promoting engineering. Paul was also recognized as one of the 35 innovators creating a better St. Louis by ALIVE Magazine. Paul holds a degree in Engineering Management from St. Louis University.
