Musings of a Migrant Science Teacher
Stuff that's goin on...
Climb With Us - What's your Everest? Contest
I've made a video explaining my deep seated fear of heights, love of climbing, and heart for kids. Click HERE to read my story.
11/7 Disney World Trip!
Photos from my amazing life changing trip to Disney world are up on Flickr, SnapFish, and Flickr. Take a look!
10/15 - Guest Blogger
Sara Lingafelter is in Nepal climbing with the Expedition Hanesbrand team, training on Pumori for their summit attempt of Everest early next year. In her absence her blog is being tended by those who follow her on Twitter, and I've been allowed to write a post! Tell me what you think...
Diggin for Fossils by George Privon
Who? Me. Of course.
What? The chronicles of every day life.
When? Often, I hope.
Why? To get back to who I used to be.
What? The chronicles of every day life.
When? Often, I hope.
Why? To get back to who I used to be.
A bit about me...
Photo by George Privon
Migrant Science Educator, Rock Climbing Nerd.
My first love is geology, my second is space science.
My third is Nutella.
I moved to DC in June of 2008 to take a job at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center as the Formal Education Coordinator for the Solar Dynamics Observatory. I taught middle school science, 7th and 8th grade. I blew things up for my students and made a mess. Now I blow things up for teachers and make a mess. I have the ideal job - rocking the boat in the name of science education, an issue close to my heart.
My philosophy is that not every student needs to grow up to be a scientist, but every student does need to grow up to be able to think for themselves. Raising a scientifically literate generation is the key to ensuring the success of our society. Thinkers vote, they maintain jobs, they make wise personal decisions. Science education in primary grades is a discipline of the mind, learning how to collect and organize evidence, to make connections and think critically - all important skills for daily life. Science education should establish and hone these skills and foster the natural creativity every child has, making them life long learners and eventually educated adults.
My love of science, geology and ecology specifically, have lead me to my current sport - rock climbing. I've never been a huge athlete. I was on a softball team in middle school, swam and life guarded in highschool, and (yes, its true) was on a synchronized swimming team in college. I also danced classical ballet till I was 17. I prefer active hobbies over competitions. I started climbing in highschool in a group called Civil Air Patrol. It was mostly rappelling and knots and survival training. Then I took a climbing class at Penn State and was hooked.
Multiple states later I found myself in DC with a close gym and a reliable climbing partner (Eric). Since then I've become invested in the sport and have improved by leaps and bounds. I think the thing that draws me to climbing is the problem solving. Each foot placement, shifting your weight, placing gear, overcoming fears, it's all a problem to be solved. You fall, you try it again, maybe another way. You find the solution and you practice it till it's right. To top it all off you get to do it outside in some of the most beautiful places on earth, with people who respect each other and the rock they are trusting their lives to. I've always had an inner hippie who hates to shower and loves patchouli. I love feeling connected to the environment I'm exploring at the moment. Climbing is a good way to do that. It's also a good way to educate people about conservation and responsibility, and since most climbers are like-minded there are lots of opportunities to take action. It's a great community and I'm proud to be a part of it.
My first love is geology, my second is space science.
My third is Nutella.
I moved to DC in June of 2008 to take a job at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center as the Formal Education Coordinator for the Solar Dynamics Observatory. I taught middle school science, 7th and 8th grade. I blew things up for my students and made a mess. Now I blow things up for teachers and make a mess. I have the ideal job - rocking the boat in the name of science education, an issue close to my heart.
My philosophy is that not every student needs to grow up to be a scientist, but every student does need to grow up to be able to think for themselves. Raising a scientifically literate generation is the key to ensuring the success of our society. Thinkers vote, they maintain jobs, they make wise personal decisions. Science education in primary grades is a discipline of the mind, learning how to collect and organize evidence, to make connections and think critically - all important skills for daily life. Science education should establish and hone these skills and foster the natural creativity every child has, making them life long learners and eventually educated adults.
My love of science, geology and ecology specifically, have lead me to my current sport - rock climbing. I've never been a huge athlete. I was on a softball team in middle school, swam and life guarded in highschool, and (yes, its true) was on a synchronized swimming team in college. I also danced classical ballet till I was 17. I prefer active hobbies over competitions. I started climbing in highschool in a group called Civil Air Patrol. It was mostly rappelling and knots and survival training. Then I took a climbing class at Penn State and was hooked.
Multiple states later I found myself in DC with a close gym and a reliable climbing partner (Eric). Since then I've become invested in the sport and have improved by leaps and bounds. I think the thing that draws me to climbing is the problem solving. Each foot placement, shifting your weight, placing gear, overcoming fears, it's all a problem to be solved. You fall, you try it again, maybe another way. You find the solution and you practice it till it's right. To top it all off you get to do it outside in some of the most beautiful places on earth, with people who respect each other and the rock they are trusting their lives to. I've always had an inner hippie who hates to shower and loves patchouli. I love feeling connected to the environment I'm exploring at the moment. Climbing is a good way to do that. It's also a good way to educate people about conservation and responsibility, and since most climbers are like-minded there are lots of opportunities to take action. It's a great community and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Butter - My baby :)