Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Education and Public Outreach

Jeff Adkins is a physics and astronomy teacher at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, California. Jeff is the director of the school's ESPACE Academy (Earth, Space and Astronomy Center for Education) and has secured grant funding to build a planetarium, observatory, and radio telescope for his school. Jeff is the author of an introductory astronomy textbook called Conceptual Astronomy and he maintains a web site for astronomy educators called AstronomyTeacher.com. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he majored in astronomy, and has participated in many astronomy education programs such as Hands On Universe, Teacher Leaders in Research Based Science Education (TLRBSE), and many others. As a participant in TLRBSE he got to use large telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory while participating in a project to search for novas in the Andromeda Galaxy. Jeff requested and received several images taken for him by the Mars Global Surveyor currently orbiting Mars. Most recently Jeff was chosen to observe on the Spitzer Space Telescope to study the characteristics of Far-Infrared Blazars. Jeff lives in Antioch, California with his lovely wife Lori and twin sons Benjamin and Jonathan.

Teena Della was born and grew up in British Columbia, Canada. As a teenager in Air Cadets she became pilot and then, to follow her dream to become an astronaut, she earned a combined Astronomy/Physics co-op degree at the University of Victoria in 1990. Through the co-op degree program she worked at a variety of locations including the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and TRIUMF, the particle accelerator in Vancouver, BC. She enjoyed tutoring and decided to take on career goal of teaching. After completing her Teacher's Certificate in 1992, she began teaching high school Astronomy and Geology. Teena also earned her MS in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon in 2000. After a recent year teaching in China and and a year teaching middle school, Teena is now teaching Math at Riverside Secondary School in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. She regularly hosts school-wide observing evenings and enjoys them as much as do the many students and parents who participate! 

Ms. Della on TV

Mike Ford began his college career at Washburn University in Topeka , Kansas , he graduated in May, 1979 with a BA in Communication Arts. In June of 1983 he was certified to teach science, English, Social Studies, and math. In August 2000 Ford received his MS in Geosciences from Mississippi State University. Due to Ford's interest in Earth/Space science, he has changed the entire curriculum of his classes to focus on this area. Ford is now retired but still contributes to science education through the Educator Ambassador program. Since he has started teaching, Ford has won the Toyota TAPESTRY Grant(1993), Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Grant (2000)--which went to building a robotic observatory, the Milken Family Fellowship Award (2001), and the Kansas Air Force Association Educatior of the Year Award (2006). He as also been involved in several programs to include POPS (University of California-Berkeley (1994), Galileo Fellowship Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1995), and Solar System Educators Program SSEP (1996). Ford's wife, Karen teaches at Holton High School , they have son, Michiel, who also attends Holton. Ford's hobbies include astronomy and photography. He has been involved in astronomy as an amateur for over 40 years, participating in many observing programs. Ford is a member of NSTA, NEA, NMLSTA, NESTA, and the Northeast Kansas Amateur Astronomers League (NEKAAL).

Mandy Frantti has taught since 1993 in Munising, a town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She teaches Physics, Astronomy, Integrated Science, and a variety of mathematics classes. Frantti graduated with an undergraduate degree from Michigan Technological University in 1993 and an Enhanced Master's of Science degree in Science and Mathematics Education from Northern Michigan University in 2000. Her thesis research involved investigating effective problem solving in the context of teaching about waves in a high school physics classroom.

Frantti has a special interest in science and mathematics curriculum reform and serves on numerous committees at a state and local level that focus on this effort. She has also worked on a professional development program for Munising Public Schools, serving elementary teachers to make science education more meaningful and effective. Frantti has been recognized with awards and grants for her work in the classroom and in education in general. In 2001 she received the nation's highest honor in mathematics and science education when she was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching by President Bush.

Frantti has many interests such as music, art, photography, and literature, but she has chosen to teach science and mathematics. She hopes to reveal to young people the excitement of the scientific world, especially that of physics and astronomy, and develop the potential in the world's future problem solvers. Each morning as she starts her day looking out over Lake Superior from the window of her classroom, she anticipates the possibility of making a difference in someone's life.

Dr. Mary Garrett is an adjunct professor at Backer College, Flint Michigan and at the University of Michigan, also in Flint Michigan. She occasionally teachers for a virtual high school in the areas of Information Technology and Mathematics. In addition, she works with other teachers to develop on-line classes. Mary Garrett earned her PhD in Educational Systems Development, (instructional technology emphasis) from Michigan State University, her M.A. in Mathematics Education and her B.A. in Mathematics from Wayne State University. She is certified at the secondary level to teach English, Social Studies, and German as well as Mathematics. She is vocationally certified in Business, Data Processing, Accounting, and Computing. Dr. Garrett is also professionally certified in Information Technology (IT) by the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals. Mary has over 25 years teaching experience and numerous awards for outstanding instruction. She frequently presents at International, National, and State conferences on instructional design and educational technology issues. She has developed instruction and taught on-line since 1995. Dr. Garrett is currently a member of the Michigan Association for Computer Using Professionals and the Michigan Council for Teachers of Mathematics.

Bruce Hemp, mathematics teacher at Fort Defiance High School in Fort Defiance, VA currently teaches Geometry, Precalculus and Calculus. During her 29 years of teaching, she has taught in the middle school and designed and implemented the math program at Valley Vocational Technical Center (VVTC) for students who had not succeeded in the normal classroom. She regularly presents workshops at local, state, and national mathematics conferences. Bruce holds a BA in Mathematics and Speech Communication from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, and a MEd degree in Mathematics from the University of Virginia. She has been a participant in the NASA Educational Workshop for Mathematics, Science and Technology Teachers (NEWMAST) and has been a recipient of several grants allowing her greater access to technology in the classroom. Bruce also chairs the board of directors of Jacob's Ladder, a 5 year summer residential program for exceptionally gifted 4th - 8th graders who are at-risk of not reaching their educational potential. She was the 1998 recipient of NTTI's Teacher of the Year Award.

Dr. Christine Anne Royce is an Associate Professor in the Teacher Education Department at Shippensburg University where she also serves as Department Chair. She has been at Shippensburg University since 2002 and has taught the following classes among others: Elementary Science Methods, Assessment and Evaluation, and Research Methods and Science Education Courses at the graduate level. Prior to joining the Shippensburg University faculty, she served as the Academic Dean of Bishop Hannan High School, Scranton, PA (1997-2002) where she taught Earth and Space Science as well. She has been teaching since 1990 and has experience with grades K-12.

She received her Ed.D in Science Education from Temple University in 2002; and has an MS in School Administration and Supervision from the University of Scranton (1995); an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from Delaware State University (1994); and a BSEd in Elementary Education from Cabrini College, Radnor, PA (1990).

She recently took office as the Professional Development Division Director for National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), a position she will serve from 2009-2012. She has also served as the District IV Director (NY, NJ and PA) for NSTA. Christine has authored multiple articles for science education journals and is the co-author of a curriculum manual for Amusement Park Physics using K’Nex, as well as a series of books for the elementary and middle level science classroom. One of her more familiar roles is serving as the co-editor/author for the “Teaching Through Trade Books Column” in Science and Children. She has served as a Chandra Resource Agent for the Chandra X-ray Observatory and an Educator Astrophysics Ambassador for Education and Public Outreach program coordinated by Sonoma State University.

She is the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (1997); the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for Pennsylvania (2002); Fellows’ Award (2005) Awarded by the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (2005); and the Pettix Award for Science Education (2007). Her educational interests have taken her to Japan on a Fulbright Memorial Fund Program (1999) and Costa Rica as part of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship (2000).

She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the National Science Education Leadership Association; the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA), and the Pennsylvania Science Teachers Association (PSTA); where she serves as Executive Secretary and has been a President for two different terms. Christine's hobbies include genealogy, reading, photography and traveling. She lives in the Shippensburg area of Pennsylvania with her three cats Eta Carinae, Sirius and Perseid.

Linda Smith is currently the Elementary Science Resource Specialist for the Paulsboro School District in Gloucester County. Her job is to teach teachers how to do Hands-on Science in their classrooms. Currently she visits 42 Classes/892 students biweekly to demonstrate hands-on science lessons. She does in-service workshops for both her district teachers and for state and national teacher organizations. In addition to her classroom duties, Linda coordinates her school's annual Science Fair and has partnered with Mobil Exxon and Valero to have Scientists come after school weekly to help students with their projects. She also runs the school's annual Space Camp.

Linda received her B/A in Elementary Education from Glassboro State College in 1978, and a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Applied Sciences from Rowan University in 2008. In 1995 she received a scholarship to train with NASA astronauts at the Goddard Space Center in Maryland for two weeks in their NEWMAST Program. She spent a summer as an intern for PSE&G in their Estuary Enhancement Program where she helped with a mitigation project to restore 50,000 acres of wetlands. During that time she also put together the Wetlands Discovery Kits and created a network where every teacher in Salem, Cumberland and Cape May Counties can borrow the kits free of charge through their County Video Libraries. This year, Linda ran the Maitland P. Simmons Space Science Institute at Rowan University, a 5 day workshop that helped elementary teachers explore the wonders of space and share those wonders with their students.

Smith is a State facilitator for the national environmental programs Project WET, Project Wild, Aquatic Wild, Learning Tree, Bridges to the Natural World, and WOW; a member of the state environmental education advisory board, NJNREC; Gloucester County's Keyleader in the National Building a Presence for Science program, Vice President, Southern Region of New Jersey Science Teachers Association, NJSTA Liaison for New Jersey Education Association, Board of Directors, Association of Presidential Awardees Science Teachers, President, Council of Elementary Science-New Jersey, She was also on the panel to revise New Jersey's Core Curriculum Content Science Standards.

In 1999 Linda Smith was awarded the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Math & Science. In 2000 she was named Teacher of the Year for the Paulsboro School Distric, and again in 2004. In 2000 she was also named Gloucester County Teacher of the Year. She was one of five finalists for New Jersey Teacher of the Year in 2000. She has been awarded NJ-BISEC's (New Jersey Business, Industry, Science Education Consortium) Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Facilitator Award for Projects Learning Tree, WET and Wild, and the Audrey Brainard Make a Difference Award from the Council of Elementary Science-New Jersey.

Daryl Taylor graduated from Shippensburg State College, PA with a dual degree in Physics and Math. Taylor taught at Francis Scott Key High School for three years, as a biology teacher. Taylor then went on to a position at Palmyra High School in New Jersey where he taught Physics, Algebra, and Geometry for three years. After a short break from teaching Taylor went back to teaching Math - Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Calculus at Delran High School in New Jersey. Taylor then went on to Willingboro High School in New Jersey. Left alone to develop his teaching method Taylor received the Staples Teacher of the Year and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching '96. While developing his approach to teaching science and math, Taylor coached wrestling, track, as well as other sports. Taylor then taught at Williamstown High School in Williamstown, NJ. Has since become a featured speaker at State and National Science Teacher's Conventions. He retired from New Jersey Public Schools June of 2004 and has started a new teaching career at Greenwich High School, CT. Taylor travels a lot giving workshops that vary from "Hollywood Science" that discusses all the stupid things we see at the movie theater and on TV to "Teaching Physics Subversively" that shows other teachers how to teach effectively and increases student interest and thereby performance without them even knowing they are being taught.

Videos of Daryl:
Science Demonstrations NJN News     High Res (wmv 22mb)     Low Res (wmv 5mb)
New Jersey Educator     High Res (wmv 31mb)     Low Res (wmv 8mb)

Ambassador Receives Award!

The Staff of GLAST's E/PO program at Sonoma State University would like congratulate GLAST Educator Ambassador Daryl Taylor on receiving both the Northeast/International Regional AND the National Internet Educator of the Year for 2003. Check out Daryl's website at http://www.darylscience.com/
The National Internet Educator of the Year Award includes:

• $5000 Cash
• An HP Laptop computer
• An Ipaq handheld computer
• A year's subscription to Connected University.
• A year's subscription to Classroom Connect's Newsletter

Daryl will be officially awarded his national trophy on March 26, 2003 at the New York Connected Classroom Conference.
Quote from Daryl:

"I'd like to thank the Academy, my co-stars, and my Mom for insisting I not run in the house with scissors or armed thermonuclear devices ... Seriously, I need to thank the current Williamstown High School Administration for simply letting me be me. Thanks, Kids! Of course, I'm not sharing the prize with you all, but thanks!"

Pamela Whiffen was born in Williamsburg , VA becoming the first American-born child in a family who had just immigrated from England. She spent her earliest years as a resident of the Colonial Williamsburg tour and lived in the Coke-Garrett house while her father was the architectural historian and author of many books for both the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and later, the MIT Press. While she was still very young, her family moved to Arizona where she has lived, with only minor interruptions, ever since. She attended a private, English school until 7th grade and adored learning multiple aspects of a subject. She began writing news articles as a teenager and helped proofread her father's 16+ books. In high school she was a Hugh O'Brien Leadership Scholar and attended the Arizona State UniversityBarrett Honors College which she still remains active with as a third reader for honor theses. After graduating with two undergraduate degrees from Arizona State, she attended the University of Arizona School of Law. After many years as a sales representative, she reenrolled in the Arizona State University Postbac Program for Teachers and earned her teaching certificate and her Masters in Secondary Education. She continued on to earn her Reading Specialist certification, her certification as a specialist in English Language Learners, and her Gifted Specialist Endorsement. As a middle school teacher for the last 13 years, she has designed her own highly successful cross-disciplinary enrichment course called Futurequest centered upon career development in science, math, and technology. After teaching astronomy and a specialized gifted science and math program at Mohave Middle School for five years in Scottsdale, AZ and teaching in the Paradise Valley Community College Kids College Center for Advanced Academic Programming, she joined the staff of Carl Hayden High School as a Physical Science teacher. Among her many responsibilities, she has also been the lead academic advisor for a multiyear NSF grant aimed at increasing the involvement of women in math, science, and engineering. In addition, she is a MESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement) advisor sponsored by the Arizona State University Center. MESA's aim is to make more minority applicants competitively eligible for a four-year university. She has, as well, been involved for a number of years in space science education as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, a National Space Biology Research fellow, a Messenger Fellow, a GRACE Fellow, a presenter for the Sally Ride Science Festivals, a presenter-participant in Penn State's Summer Outreach Program for Teachers, and an Educator Ambassador for the National Science Digital Library. Finally, as an author and presenter for the National Council for the Social Studies she has traveled extensively to conduct teacher trainings and presentations at both regional and local conventions that emphasize the inclusion of math and science in the social studies curriculum. Married 30 years with two kids, she describes herself as, "a perpetual student who is endlessly fascinated with the beauty and complexity of our Universe."

Pamela has been named the new Southwestern Regional Director for the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA). NESTA leaders are often called upon to provide a nationally-recognized voice speaking to the future of Earth Science education at meetings of other scientific and school leadership organizations. NESTA collaborates with federal agencies and organizations seeking to advance geoscience education and literacy. As the leading national organization representing K-12 Earth and space science teachers, membership in NESTA is a must for teachers seeking to promote geoscience education nationally and take part in leadership at the national level.