Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Kelly Wendt, M.S. graduate fellow in Geology
Teacher: Jacob Ojard, Lakeview Christian Academy, 10-12th grade Biology and Physics

I’m a geologist with a focus in paleolimnology, or in other words I like to look at lakes and lake sediments to see how the lake has changed through time.  My research is focused in Minnesota where I have sediment cores from three lakes spread out across the state.  I’m looking to see if these cores from different regions of the state are at all similar and what if any drought records are apparent.  I will also be looking at an independent temperature indicator to see how temperature has changed through time.  In general I find all paleoclimate research interesting, but I also have an interest in environmental science, land conservation, and agriculture.

Having been a GK-12 fellow the previous year there are some benefits I hope to encounter again.  For one, you definitely learn how to explain science to a non-science group of people.  I remember my first day in class trying to tell students about my research and nobody understood.  After a few weeks I was able to explain it in much clearer terms.  Another benefit is that students make you think on your feet by asking questions that you haven’t prepared for.  You also become more flexible and dynamic when you find your lessons don’t always work how you anticipated or within the set amount of time.

My role is as a guest scientist. I’ve brought in some of my research to show students what it is I’m doing.  I’ve also had the chance to teach a couple of lessons, which I’m sure exposes the students to a different teaching style than they are used to.  I also help out on lab days by going around and interacting with students one on one, asking them questions and getting them to think about why they are doing the activity and how they can be successful.  I plan on continuing on in this role and look forward to when we begin dissections in biology.  I think I help out in the classroom by just be another adult there who is interested in science.  Seeing how math, physics, and biology aren’t my specified area I think it makes students more comfortable answering my questions because they don’t know whether or not I know the answer and it also gives them the opportunity to teach me.

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Curriculum