Math & Science Graduate Fellows in K-12 Education

Fellow: Shelby Frost, M.S. graduate fellow in Geology
Teacher: Aaron Salmela, Woodland Middle School, 8th grade Earth Science

In 2008 I graduated with my BS in geology from Winona State University.  At WSU, I was a teacher’s assistant for introductory geology, petrology, structural geology, field methods, and sedimentary geology.  In these classes I helped students with their labs and answered questions.  I also spent a summer on WSU’s riverboat, helping local earth science teachers teach students about the beauty of the Mississippi River.  I am currently working towards my MS in geology from the University of Minnesota – Duluth.  At UMD, I was a teacher’s assistant for introductory geology, and structural geology and taught the labs.  My research interests are in metamorphic petrology.  I am fascinated by how rocks form, especially on a microscopic scale.  By participating in the NSF GK-12 fellowship I hope to see if teaching is a possible career choice for me, and I hope to improve my communication skills with the general public.  Improving communication skills is imperative in any career because it is important to be able to have a discussion with someone who may never have had an earth science class and still have them comprehend you.

My role in the classroom this year has been to provide students with a second source of information regarding earth science and why it is important.  I come in to the classroom twice a week and help out in many ways.   On lab days I act as a second helper and answer questions about the lab we are working on.  Other days I work specifically with the science fair project the students are doing and brainstorm with individual students about their specific projects.  The third thing I do in the classroom is teach inquiry based labs.  This consists of a lecture, followed by a lab where the students work with the subject I have been describing in order to better understand the concept.  I think my presence has enhanced the teaching environment because I act as another learned adult in the classroom that validates the teacher’s ideas. I also think I’ve enhanced the learning environment because I provide the students with an example of someone who has chosen to do a career in the sciences, but who isn’t a stereotypical “scientist” like they think of. 

Teams in Action

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Curriculum