Rainforests and Reefs

 It's really hard to put into words what it means to be a scientist.  While your world doesn't have an owner's manual, google search engine,  it does have a huge support system.  On my first day, Francisco and Manual told me that their group is a great support system and are friends outside of work.  I didn't realize how tight knit and supportive this group was until I had privilege of working with the team.  On the first day, Manual asked me "what are you doing on Thursday because we are collecting urchins which is a rare event and we would love for you to join us."  After finishing my 3 other lab experiences, I quickly headed over to their tent.  I could hear the sound of music and laughter as I walked down the hill to their station.  Immediately they all exclaimed my name and gave me hugs.  Aleya quickly got me situated and Leysa helped me on my first 2 carpets.  We chatted about teaching, learning and they gave me great advice on places to visit on the isl

  My first day at Isla Mayagues with Francisco and Manual was nothing short of amazing.  When I was little I always dreamed of being a marine biologist and today I got to live out that dream.  They took me out to their field station where coral that are ready for outplanting are put into the ocean to make sure they will survive the outplanting.  We had to use GPS to get to the site because when they put buoys out, the fisherman would destroy the sites.  They are working on educating the fishing and tourism community about their work.  As luck would have it my work focuses on failures and perseverance and the batteries in the GPS died.  Both veteran scientists, went by memory and when we got close they snorkeled to find the site.  We talked about what it is like to spend most of your time failing in research.  They see it as a normal process and talked about how they have to coach the newer students.  Manual said "you're going to fail a lot and its a normal part of the process

  Throughout the final packing day, I have been pinching myself.  It's hard to believe that my love of science and learning is going to be turned into a field research experience.   The photo today, came from my itnerary with CARICOOS.  In the middle of the two amazing science entities is my school logo.  At the root of discovering science, we are the same.  Teaching and exploring science has always been a passion of mine but I often didn't find the right balance.  As a second career teacher, my heart has always been in the lab and field work.  When I was in the lab, I missed teaching others.  Right now, my summer has been the perfect marriage between the two:  absorbing as much science as I can from coral propagation, wolf tracking, indigenous tribal ecological knowledge, quantum physics and sea urchin restoration while generating activites for the science classroom.   After attending WINGS this summer, my focus is the cultivation the Joy and Wonder in science through sense-ma

Thanks to Wisconsin Lutheran College and Dr. Robert Balza, I was able to learn so much about coral propagation and sea urchins prior to working in Puerto Rico this summer.  Little did I know that we don't know much about coral.   There are so many ties to the many classes that I teach and I cannot wait to start my own coral tank for my students to engage with.  My mind is spinning with fluorescence activities, sea urchin in vitro fertilization and general experimental design.  The only way to reset as a teacher is to keep finding amazing ways to engage with science outside of your classroom.  This is a great reminder to never give up on learning despite all of the challenges that our districts put on us that steer us away from teaching.  The little marine biologist in me is so pumped up to learn more.  

 Planning out a two week science exploration trip is nothing short of invigorating.  It beats sitting in professional devleopment meetings rewriting curriculum for the 8th time or listening to a "teaching expert" who has been in the classroom for only a year.   This is real professional development, guided by a true scientific explorer who is going to capture the essence of science practice and the brutal truth of failure.  It will be documented with primary source videos, captured with live interviews and lived my the newest scientist to this field....me.   Failure's roll in science is more prevelant that students think.  Most of the time when exploring science, we fail.   Throughout this last year, I have seen a ton of failure in my life in all aspects.  What matters most is how we use it to become stronger and more resilient.   Let me introduce you to my cohorts in crime (or science.)  Dr. Stacey Williams  and Travis Courtney's research facility in La Parguera will

  As I embark on the planning of my summer 2023 fellowship to Puerto Rico, I am reminded of this silk screen work by Samuel Lind.  When I met him in his home/studio in Luzio last summer, he talked to me about his inspiration for this painting.   Barca means “boat” and Varada means “stuck.”  Sam told me that he believes the tied up boats are all dreaming of a place they would like to be. It reminds me the tug of war I feel between the science part of me and the teacher.   My role as a science teacher is not defined by the walls of the classroom. It is inspired by my love with life long learning in science and the personalities and talents of the students in my classroom. As a teacher, I am always finding new ways to help students engage with not only content but the people who are actively researching new ideas. The goal is to make the classroom a moving piece of art that constantly grabs the talents of the individuals in it. Our work should never be finished, only ready for the nex