TEACHING

A World In Motion (AWIM) - Teaching kids about science

Each Fall from 1998 through 2004 I taught science to students in 4th grade as part of the Boeing and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) educational outreach program.

Educator Enrichment Day (EED) - Teaching teachers about astronomy

In 2005 and 2006 I presented astronomy curriculum to teachers of grades 3 through 5 as part of the Boeing and Washington Alliance for Better Schools educational outreach program.

Educator Enrichment Day astronomy archive website.

Museum of Flight - Lead Educator for Rocket Science

From 1999 to 2002 I had my coolest job title to date. I was the 'Lead Educator for Rocket Science' for the Museum of Flight's education department.

The Seattle museum has a staff of museum educators whose job it is to engage visiting students and teachers in fun learning activities. My job as 'Rocket Scientist' included guiding missions to Mars, to the Moon, and to a comet at the Challenger Learning Center. I also taught the science and history of rockets and space flight, lead rocket making activities, and gave planetarium shows. I wrote curriculum for rocket science for teachers to use in their classrooms. I also taught more down-to-Earth subjects such as aerodynamics, parachutes, and kites.

One of the perks of the job (besides the cool blue astronaut jump suit) was the occasional opportunity to help out NASA educator Brian Hawkins with his teacher workshops during his visits to the museum. Another unique aspect of working and volunteering at the museum was the chance to rub shoulders with astronauts from Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle programs.

By far, the most gratifying moment for me came after I had concluded a dynamic demonstration-filled presentation about comets and craters. A young high school aged student approached me with her father by her side. She wanted to thank me for helping ignite and feed her love for science when she visited the museum several years earlier. To make that sort of lasting impression on someone is, for me, the greatest reward there can be.