Five teachers have been selected to participate in a Summer Science Research Program modeled after the Columbia University Summer Research Program for School Science Teachers that has operated for 25 years.
The Summer Research Program is a unique professional development opportunity that will be offered by Questar III BOCES, in collaboration with Dr. Samuel Silverstein, the John C. Dalton Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics and Professor of Medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons beginning in the summer of 2014.
The program will provide an opportunity for certified science teachers to work side-by-side with researchers to conduct authentic scientific research in an area related to the courses they teach. Since being founded in 1990, the program at Columbia University has translated to improved practice in the classroom and increased student achievement rates on Regents Exams in science.
The selected candidates and their bios are listed below:
Deborah Mabey of Williamstown, MA, teaches AP Environmental Science, SUNY-ESF Global Environment (College in the High School), Earth Science, Living Environment and Ecology at the Hoosick Falls Central School District. Prior to her work at Hoosick Falls CSD, Mabey was an adjunct professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and taught science at Taconic Hills Middle School. Since 2000, Mabey has taught a variety of subjects including Biology, Living Environment, Integrated Science, Earth Science, Astronomy, Ecology, Botany and Physical Science. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition form Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Secondary Science Education from Eastern Michigan University.
Nichole Mantas of Clifton Park, NY, teaches Living Environment Science at Lansingburgh High School in Troy, NY. A Lansingburgh CSD employee since 2013, Mantas teaches four sections of Living Environment and four laboratory classes to prepare students for the Regents Exam. Prior to working at Lansingburgh, Mantas worked at Schenectady High School teaching Fundamentals of Biology to remedial science-learners as well as AP/University in the High School Biology. She also redesigned the curriculum to create lessons with inquiry-based, hands-on learning. Mantas holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from The College of Saint Rose and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Biology, from Union Graduate School.
Kaitlin McGann of Albany, NY, teaches Chemistry at Maple Hill High School in Castleton, NY. A Schodack CSD employee since 2007, McGann wrote and implemented laboratory experiments designed to build student skill and content knowledge. She also modified Hudson Valley Community College course curriculum to add hands-on, high school semiconductor industry and nanotechnology curriculum in conjunction with Northeast Advanced Technological Education Center (NEATEC). McGann participated in the National Association for Science Teachers Research Experience for Teachers at Cornell Center for Materials Research, and was an adjunct Chemistry professor at Siena College. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Siena College and a Master of Science in General Education Studies from the University at Albany.
Nathan Porter of East Greenbush, NY, teaches Physics and Earth Science at Maple Hill High School in Castleton, NY. A Schodack CSD employee since 2012, he has also taught Computer Coding and Energy for the Future, and implemented Modeling Instruction and standards-based grading to improve student learning. Prior to working at Maple Hill, he completed his student teaching at Horseheads High School in Horseheads, NY and Spencer Van Etten Middle School in Spencer, NY. Porter holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Science, Physics, from Ithaca College.
Rebecca Tennyson of Troy, NY teaches Grade 8 Life Science at Tamarac Secondary School in Troy, NY. A Brunswick-Brittonkill CSD employee since 2006, Tennyson also teaches Living Environment and is a Varsity Cross Country coach and National Junior Honor Society advisor. Tennyson also taught science at St. Anne Institute for four years. She taught ecology programming at the Dyken Pond Center in Grafton, NY and worked as an educator at the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology and the New York State Museum. Tennyson earned a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education 1-6, 7-9 General Science/Biology, 7-12 Biology, and a Master of Science in Education, Professional Teacher Education from the College of Saint Rose.
