Live From Mars was active July 1996-December 1997.
Live from Mars Volunteers
I am a chemistry teacher on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. This is my
fifth year as a high school teacher. Prior to becoming an educator, I completed
14 years military service. I am working on a number of projects to introduce
students to technology and applications of technology. I am interested in smart
filtering because I see it as a way to get my students involved in exciting
applications of the Internet. I plan to have my students complete the work under
my supervision.
I am a junior at the State University of New York Institute of Technology at
Utica/Rome (SUNY Tech.). My major is computer science focusing on UNIX, object
oriented systems, and distributed computing. In addition to my work with
computers, I also focus my studies in physics, astronomy, and space technology.
I plan to finish my post-graduate work here by the spring of 1999. My motivation
to volunteer as a smart filter comes from my childhood dream of growing up to
become an astronaut. Those dreams fell short when I failed the color blindness
test. Becoming a smart filter enabled me to still participate in the NASA
experience and feel like I'm still a benefit to the organization. I hope to
educate the public on how technology developed by NASA and the military
benefits us in our civilian life. Visit my website.
I'm 14 years old, in the 10th grade (1996-97), and I'm homeschooled. My favorite
subjects are math and science. I've been interested in space and aviation
ever since I can remember. I read as much as I can on these subjects; my favorite
is "Lost Moon" by Jim Lovell and Jeffery Kluger. This past summer I worked at
the Peoria Lakeview Planetarium, and I ran the shows all day every Friday. This is
something I enjoyed very much, and I'm planning on doing it again every summer.
I've been a regular visitor to the Planetarium since I was a small child. I also
like to build and launch model rockets. I do this for fun, and as a 4-H project;
this year I won 1st place for it. Another thing I enjoy doing is looking around at
NASA's webpage, this is something I constantly am doing. I do it so much in fact,
that when my browser starts up it automatically goes to NASA. But what I really
enjoy doing the most is being a smart filter. This is a challenging, but
an extremely fun job, and I'm glad I have it. Check out my homepage.
I'm a teacher at a private high school for girls in Pasadena, Ca, called
"Westridge." The school is grades 4-12, and I teach 9th grade "Concepts
in Chemistry and Physics," about a 1/2 year of each subject, and 12th grade
Honors Physics. The main theme is astronomy and we do the course "backwards"
concentrating on optics, electromagnetic spectrum, and relativity first. I also
teach A.P. Physics - the "B" course, so this includes all the topics. I've
lectured at the Griffith Observatory Planetarium (the one you recently saw
on Star Trek Voyager) since 1976, and I was a guide there for three years
before that. That was during the time I was an undergrad at Yale, and I
graduated there in 1975 with a degree in Physics and a strong concentration
in Space and Geosciences.
From 1977-1984 I was a grad student at UCLA's Earth and Space Sciences
department, and that's where I got my masters' degree and "most" of a PhD
(I defended successfully, but I didn't submit my final draft because I got
involved in full-time teaching and that was more fun). While I was in grad
studies at UCLA, I taught astronomy at CalState Northridge (general astronomy
to large auditorium groups, planetary science to one class, and observational
astronomy for several years at night). Check out my website.
I teach at Serrano High School in Phelan, California (a small town at the edge
of the Mojave Desert). I live in Wrightwood, CA, a ski resort town at 6000 feet
in the San Gabriel Mountains, eight miles from the high school. I teach science
and math. My background is in astronomy (B.A. UCLA, 1973; M.S. Brigham Young
University, 1976). I worked part-time for JPL at Table Mountain Observatory
in the early 70's doing spectroscopy of the atmospheres of Mars and Jupiter. In
the late 70's I taught astronomy at the community college level.
I am an aerospace engineer working in the compressor aerodynamics department
at General Electric's Aircraft Engines facility near Cincinnati, Ohio. I've worked
in the industry for about nine years, and I have always been interested in
astronomy and space flight. I never got around to applying to the manned space
program, so I thought I would get involved anyway I can. I'm married and have
a 2 1/2 year old son.
I am a former research biochemist and statistician, now teaching 8th grade
earth-space science and math at McMurray Middle School on Vashon Island, between
Seattle and Tacoma in Washington state's Puget Sound. A longtime avid amateur
astronomer and online ferret, I'm currently involved in developing online
atmospheric learning resources for Earth and Mars as a Live from Earth and
Mars SciLive96 Summer Institute participant.
I'm a mother of four children ranging from two-year-old to ten. During the
day, I work as a computer consultant and have taught Computer classes. But
at night, I stare skyward and wish I were an astronaut. Needless to say,
I'm an amateur astronomer and missed my life's calling.
I am Scottish but have been living in Australia for a lot of years now. I
teach Computing Studies at Irrawang High School. My school has about 1100
students and their ages are between 12 and 18 although we do have a few
mature age students. I have been interested in science and space travel
since I was a child and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to get our
students involved with NASA and the Smart Filter project. The student
volunteers are from year 10 (15-16 years old) and are students who have
shown an interest in science in school.
Hi, my name is Gayle and I am a very happily married mother
of one 4 year old little girl (Anna-whom we homeschool). I provide day
care for 5 other homeschooled children ages 3-5-10-17. My husband is
Paul, he works for Canada Post. Born in England and raised in Montreal
and Rio de Janeiro, I was schooled at a private boarding school on the
Isle of White in England, and am the grand-daughter of a scientist. My
grandfather, the late Terrence Ivey, invented the first portable mass
X-ray unit during WWII, the first working Fiberglass tanker trucks for
hauling hazardous chemicals, and built 2 telescopes himself by hand, even
grinding the lenses himself. This is what I remember of him most, his
telescopes set up in the back yard, all the work that lead up to them,
watching the stars and planets night after night, charts, tables, short
wave radio, his workroom where I played and listened to his scientific
passions. I am still fascinated by the space sciences and these projects
are a way for me to keep his memory alive. Presently I serve as a
volunteer Outreach Advocate to homeschoolers and eastern Canada and am
the Canadian Distribution Agent for the PTK programs. I am pleased and
honoured to be a part of it even in a small way.
Presently I am a trainer for CompUSA, doing onsite
corporate training here in Chattanooga, TN. I train users in the use of
particular software packages on their PCs. Formerly, I taught school
here for a short while, and am still very interested in the education.
Working as a Smart Filter allows me to stay in touch with both the
scientific community, as well as the educational world. I also was a
Smart Filter during the Life From the Stratosphere project. I am 38,
single and enjoy a variety of activities beyond my work, such as skiing,
swimming, bicycling, hiking, camping, photography and reading. Much of
my time is also spent doing genealogy research as well, and my current
research can be viewed on the web at Dan's Place.
I have a B.S. of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University / Purdue University
at Fort Wayne Indiana. I am currently working on my M.S. degree in
Educational Computing and Instructional Design at Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Indiana. My goal as a lifelong learner is to examine and
explore technology, and its infusion in future education. I am currently
involved in two other projects. The first is called project MCM (Murdock
Computer Masters). This project involves computer training of students in
grades 3-5 at Murdock Elementary in West Lafayette, Indiana. I also
maintain the
Educational Launch Pad. This is a continually evolving project
in which I have attempted to build a web site which students, teachers,
and parents will find useful. Wading through all the information
available on the web can sometimes be overwhelming, and frustrating, so I
have tried to list some good starting points. The final destination of
the Launch Pad has yet to be determined. I am constantly searching for a
focus that will best serve the intended audience.
I am a Mining Engineer. I am also a lecturer assistant at the post grad
course at Universidade Federal do Rio grande do Sul / Brazil. I live in Porto Alegre. I work
at LPM Minning
Research Laboratory and I have been involved with Blasting Tech for more
than 12 years working directly with the industry. I am finishing a MSc
degree in Blasting Technology. By August I intend to begin my PhD in
Blasting Technology at JKMRC, University of
Queesland, Australia. I have loved astronomy since childhood and to
become a member of such a fantastic group as this one was a pleasure and an
honor for me.
Here at the university I "teach how to teach" chemistry for all kinds of
future chemistry teachers, from grade 1-13. This department is called
"Didaktik der Chemie", which can be traduced with didactics of chemistry.
I'm not sure if you have something similar at American universities.
I am an MVS systems programmer at the University Center for Information
Services in Nijmegen, the Netherlands (http://www.uci.kun.nl
in Dutch). My age is 48. My interest in space comes from my interest in
astronomy. I have been an amateur astronomer most of my life, though with
different levels of activity: several years at the telescope, some years
just with books in the parlor, some years at the computer writing
astronomy programs, last year collecting lots of information thru the Web,
from NASA to personal pages. My daughter, she is 5 years old, goes to a
school, that follows the system developed by Maria Montessori. One very
important aspect of this system is 'cosmic education'. So, last year, she
explained the 'Big Bang' theory to me one day when she came out of school.
This, amongst others, raised my interest in education again. I went
looking for information for her, and for the school on the WEB, and the
best way to find is to be actively involved in educational projects on the
WEB. That's why I signed up as a volunteer. I have been a Smart Filter for
the Online from Jupiter last year.
I have a BA with a major in foreign languages, and an MA in special
education. I have been teaching English as a Second Language on a
secondary level since 1984. For the past three years, I have been
integrating Internet/E-mail use into my ESL activities. My class has
participated in all the Passport To Knowledge projects. After the first
LFA project, I was so impressed by the quality of these exceptional
interactive educational activities that I was delighted to learn I could
volunteer as a Smart Filter and be of help in some small way. For a number
of years I had my private pilot's license and flew almost daily. Because
of my love of flying, I have always followed NASA's space program with
great enthusiasm, and I am particularly excited to see so much
educational emphasis on space science -- these activities are indeed
"cutting edge," another reason why I'm so happy to be participating as a
PTK Smart Filter.
I am a french student who is studying Electronic in the University of
Hertfordshire (United Kingdom). I have obtained a BTS in Electronic
Engineering (French diploma). And now, pursuing a BEng Hons in
Electronic Engineering. I am interested in working with your group
because I would like to learn more about NASA experiment, and because
help other people is, for me, a pleasure.
I am an Optometrist and Amatuer Astronomer. I live in Sugar Land, Texas.
I volunteer at the George Observatory in Brazos State Park. I am a
member of the Fort Bend
Astronomy Club, and the Team Leader of a Supernova Search using the
18 inch and 36 inch Research Telecopes at the George Observatory. Please
visit our web site and drop us a line.
Hello! I'm Chris Rowan, and I have been an elementary schoolteacher in
Brownsville, Texas for the past
10 years. I have taught at
Morningside Elementary for the past 7 years. I have a B.A. in Psychology
from Baylor University and a Master's in
counseling from the University of Texas at
Brownsville.
I have won several awards for the way in which I integrate technology into
the curriculum. In 1995, I won the State Technology Teacher of the Year
Award (sponsored by Technology and Learning magazine). During that same
year, I was selected to attend an intensive 2-week
NASA NEWEST workshop at Kennedy
Space Center near Titusville, Florida.
Ever since I was a young boy, I have had a deep interest in space science.
When I found out that I could actually be a part of the NASA team in
promoting space science education, I jumped at the chance. I get a great
deal of satisfaction knowing that what I do helps to promote NASA's goals.
It's a hoot!
My name is David Rajan, and I just graduated from high school this June.
This is my second year Smart Filtering, and it has been a great chance
to learn firsthand about what's going on with several of the NASA
projects. I got into it by chance--I was surfing the Web, and just
happened to see the page asking for Smart Filters--and I filled out the
form. In my spare time, I like to fool around with my computer, play the
piano and violin--and when I'm not doing that, I'm always down for a
good game of chess!
I'm a 16 year old high school student in 10th grade (class of 2000!). I live
in Ambler, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. I've always been interested in science,
computers, and the internet. Going to space (especially Mars a la Red
Planet by Heinlen) has a certain excitement associated with it, probably
coming from all that science fiction I've read. I worked this summer at the
Mann Music Center as an usher getting payed next to nothing, but with
"perks". When I grow up I want to do something in science, possibly be an
engineer or something. I've really enjoyed being a Smart Filter. In the
words of the person who wrote Forest Gump "That is all I have to say about
that". Oh, and I have a home page that I haven't touched in at least two
months here.
I'm a 9th grader at Louis St. Laurent School in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
I'm 14 years old. My favorite subject is music, and I play flute. I also
play the piano. My passion for space started when I watched the movie
Apollo 13. Onwards from there, I found the NASA homepage, and then Quest.
After fiddling around Quest for a few months and meeting online with some of
the project developers, I thought that smart filtering would be kind of fun.
I mean, actually doing something for NASA? Cool! So far, it has gone
great! I want to be an aerospace engineer and planetary geologist when I
grow up. My biggest wish is to be the first person to go to Mars and my
favorite robot is Sojourner.
