I enjoy teaching, and between my own classroom experience, my involvement in the PLANETS science education project, and being married to a physics teacher, I’ve learned a lot about science education! Although my current role as a government researcher doesn’t afford a chance to teach at the university level, if I ever have the opportunity I would love to return to the classroom.

My Teaching Philosophy 

My teaching philosophy is that it is more important for students to understand the scientific process and mindset than to learn specific facts. The goal of science teaching is not to turn every student into a science major, but into someone who understands the critical thinking and error-correcting nature of science and brings that with them wherever life takes them.

I emphasize connections between the scientific principles in astronomy and everyday life; physics works the same no matter where you are. The same physics that makes your toaster oven glow orange is what governs the spectra of stars and the cosmic microwave background of the universe itself. The same process that makes street lamps glow yellow or blue is how we can tell what distant stars are made of.

Above all, I hope that students learn that the workings of the universe are knowable and that science is the method by which we know them. And for upper-level students, I would emphasize that success in science requires more than just excellence at physics and mathematics. Much of science is communication, and my upper-level teaching would help students develop those skills alongside their technical knowledge.

Experience

  • Cornell University
    • Lab and discussion section leader:
      • Astronomy 101/103 – The Nature of the Universe
      • Astronomy 102/104 – Our Solar System
    • Guest Lecturer:
      • Astronomy 1110 – Exploration of Mars
      • Astronomy 2299 – The Search for Life in the Universe
      • Astronomy 109 – Birth of the Universe
    • Field trip leader:  Astro 577 – Planetary Surface Processes
    • Center for Astronomy Education (CAE) teaching workshop October 16 & 17, 2008
  • University of Michigan
    • Introductory astronomy tutor (2003-2006)