Teaching Philosophy

My full teaching statement can be found here in PDF form.

My primary objective as a science instructor, both in the classroom and in an outreach setting, is to ensure that my students understand the scientific process. I have taught students ranging from elementary to college-age over the course of several years, and I have engaged with the general public at many outreach events. In the internet age, I find that the most important concept to teach students is how to recognize the difference between rigorous science and pseudo-science, especially when dubious information is readily available to every internet user. I find that students are eager to learn about science concepts and think critically when they find the topic stimulating, and astronomy is almost always stimulating! As such, I center my teaching around a hands-on approach, using demonstrations and visuals, and asking and encouraging questions. Part of being a scientist and having a specialized knowledge of the world is the responsibility to convey such knowledge to others. I am committed to educating students and the general public, and astronomy is an ideal vehicle for teaching science concepts since it invokes awe and wonder in so many. Students enjoy learning about the mysteries of the Universe, while we teachers are able to enhance critical thinking skills that will serve students long after they have left the classroom.



Teaching

Instructor, ASA Summerfuel Pre-College Program, Amherst, MA, 2012-2013
    Designed course and wrote or compiled all relevant material. Taught introductory astronomy concepts, including formation of planets, galaxies, and the Universe, to high school students. Included many hands-on activities, homework assignments, and a long term research project. Led field trips to the local planetarium and Sun Wheel.

Teaching Assistant, Department of Astronomy, University of Massachusetts, 2010-2011
    Taught an introductory-level astronomy lab for college students. Lectured and led class experiments. Provided tutoring and mentoring out of class hours.

Instructor, Astrocamp, Idyllwild, CA, 2009-2010
    Taught physics and astronomy classes to visiting elementary and middle school groups. Classes included such topics as electricity and magnetism, states of matter, stellar evolution. Classes were designed to be fun, hands-on, and interactive.

Supplemental Instructor, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, 2007
    Created discussion sections for introductory astronomy course. Designed the discussion sections to reinforce astronomy concepts with models and activities. Led review lectures for the entire class before tests.

Athletic Tutor, University of Florida, 2005
    Tutored student athletes in pre-calculus and general mathematics. Ensured students maintained a 2.5 GPA.



Mentoring

As a graduate student, I have mentored several undergraduates who work with Prof. Alexandra Pope as part of the Five College Summer Research Program. I've provided assistance with research, offered guidance on choosing the right graduate school, shared my experiences with taking time off between graduate and undergraduate school, and discussed ways to balance work and a family.
Students mentored:
Adam Battista (2015)
Kay Lowden (2014)
Jamie Budynkiewicz (2012)



Outreach

AAS Congressional Visits Day, Washington, DC, 2016
     Advocated for increased science funding on Capitol Hill.

Guest Speaker, Arunah Hill National Science Center, Cummington, MA, 2015
     Gave a public talk geared towards all ages about how galaxy mergers fuel black hole growth.

Chambliss Poster Judge, AAS Winter Meeting, 2014
    Judged undergraduate research posters. Asked relevant questions to gauge students' understanding of their own work. Provided written evaluations.

Guest Speaker, Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford, Hartford, CT, 2014
     Gave a public talk about my research using dust to probe galaxy evolution.

Session Chair, 19th Annual Statewide Undergraduate Research Conference, University of Massachusetts, 2013
     Chaired research talks by undergraduates. I led discussions of talks afterwards, asking relevant questions if there were no audience questions.

Session Chair, 18th Annual Statewide Undergraduate Research Conference, University of Massachusetts, 2012
     Chaired research talks by undergraduates. I led discussions of talks afterwards, asking relevant questions if there were no audience questions.

Guest speaker, Granite Valley Middle School, Monson, MA, 2013
     Gave a presentation to 7-8th graders about galaxy evolution. Led students through an activity of my own design using Galaxy Zoo and encouraged them to participate in citizen science at home.

Guest speaker, Fort McCoy Middle School, Fort McCoy, FL, 2008
     Presented an interactive lecture to 6th graders about the size of our Universe and the composition of the Milky Way. Brought several handouts and posters for the classroom and played games designed to help students remember astronomy facts.

Women's Astronomy Forum, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, 2007
     Created a mentoring organisation for undergraduate women. Organized monthly talks from female faculty and graduate students. Created informational posters about female astronomers for Women's History Month.

Museum Nights, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, 2007
     Led children in astronomy-related crafts and activities. Assisted with shows in the StarLab planetarium.

Public Night, Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, 2005-2008
    The astronomy department's most successful outreach activity. Manned telescopes at the teaching observatory on Friday nights. Described to public objects viewed in telescopes and answered questions.



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