Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Michael Lynch, M.S. graduate fellow in Integrated Biosciences
Teacher: Michelle Riley, East High School, 9-10th grade Biology & Physical Science

My name is Michael Lynch and I am a NSF GK-12 fellow based at Duluth East High School with Michelle Riley.  I have always had an intense interest in the outdoors since exploring the forests near my childhood home north of Madison WI, to the lakes near our family cabin, to the mountains on family road trips.  Upon high school graduation I moved to Saint Peter Minnesota where I enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College; receiving a double major in Biology and Environmental Studies with a minor in geography.   Over my college summers I worked in several positions with the Wisconsin DNR where I got experience as a fisheries and forestry technician.  Following my final summer with the DNR I enrolled in the Integrated Bioscience Master’s Degree program at the University of Minnesota – Duluth where I am studying the round goby; a nonnative fish from central Eurasia.   I have focused on growth rates and dispersal patterns of this fish and am currently in the process of completing my thesis.  Through these experiences I have developed a keen interest in sharing scientific information and passion and thought the GK-12 program would be a perfect fit. 

So far it has been a very beneficial experience for me.  I have learned to interact with a completely different age group, I teach 9th and 10th grade students, as well as learn some of the difficulties faced by teachers in a secondary school classroom.  I hope as the year progresses my interaction skills will continue to improve and some of my excitement and knowledge of biology will rub off on the students. 

Duluth East High School has now been in session for two months and I feel I am completely integrated into the classroom.  Miss Riley and I have developed a good system of setting out the next week’s schedule ahead of time and developing a plan which allows time for my field work and places me in the classroom on days designated for labs or activities where my help can be best utilized.  Depending on class schedule and field work needs I have been at Duluth East High one to two days per week.  On those days I have worked with Miss Riley to identify where my expertise can be best utilized.  Depending on the topic this has meant I have developed and lead lectures, labs, and field trips.  So far the students have meet all of the challenges Miss Riley and I have thrown at them; as the semester progresses I hope I will be able to continue to meet the challenges they throw at me. 

Teams in Action

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Curriculum