Click on a highlighted name to see more information
Mark Hines Obviously, I rate my computer use as pretty high, and I have good support people at the school to help if I get stuck. Since I am the main driving force for internet adoption at the school, (and my students will be the first to have their own accounts, so they are the guinea pigs) I have a vested interest to make this project work well for the students!
Jonathan Shaw I'm an undergraduate freshman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. It's a great school with really great students and faculty. My intended major so far is Computer Engineering, possibly with a double major or a minor in Information Sciences or something related. I love to use computers and I love to help people learn how to use them even more so. I began using computers in first grade at school, with English and math tutor programs on an Apple IIe. I got hooked, partly from that experience and mostly because of my computer-hyper brother that made sure I never heard him discuss anything unless it had to do with computers. (Kind of like this paragraph!) I thought a modem would be a waste of money when we first got one three years ago, but as soon as I started seeing the wealth of information and other people like myself out on local bulletin boards, I was hooked. I quickly started to seek out any way possible of gaining access to the Internet. I wanted to find out what it was all about and be involved with it. As soon as I acquired a more stable Internet account, I found out about the NASA Ames K-12 projects and wanted to volunteer. Live From the Stratosphere is the second project I'll actually have done e-mail help with; the first was Live From Antarctica. I'm really looking forward to this go around, and appreciate having been able to tell everyone who the mysterious person behind this e-mail address really is.
Daniel Chase I am student teaching this semester, and am about to finish my first placement in an inner city high school. In two weeks, I move to a rural middle school in a very affluent suburb. I work alternate weekends, at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. I am currently a computer systems operator, working with two HP 3000/960 mainframes. We are also the network hub for the campus network, and have full T-1 links to the Internet. My position came from a work study position I held last year, and then was hired full time this summer as weekend system operator, and as a network technician. You see, I used to be a computer repair technician, as well as instructor, consultant, etc. I work as a computer operator, am student teaching this semester and will graduate in December! My teaching specialty is high school physics. But currently I am also teaching biology and chemistry in addition. I am single, 36 years old, and enjoy outdoor activities and reading when I get the time! I wanted to become a Smart Filter volunteer since it would get me more in touch with the use of the Internet in education, as well as improve my knowledge through the contact with both students, and the staff of the KAO.
Michael H. Edmondson
Background: 17 years as a chemistry/physics teacher
Motivation: I have been named as the liaison teacher for our school district to the local Challenger Center/Planetarium/Observatory under construction. I'm coordinating a camp in school for LFS and have been doing some workshops for middle school teachers. I just though it would be interesting and appropriate.
Mellie Lewis I'm a gifted and talented resource teacher working with students in grades 2 - 5. G.T. Students in Howard County are required to pursue Type III Investigations (independent research) in areas of interest to them. Frequently, the students are not sure what they want to do or what they're interested in. I've found that by introducing them to projects like Live from Antarctica and Live from the Stratosphere they find their interest and produce great Type III's. My background is elementary education with an M.S. in Science and an Ed. Specialists Degree in Gifted and Talented. I love working with my computer, scuba diving, reading a good novel, and being with my husband and dog. I was motivated to be a SF volunteer because I want to improve my technology skills and I want to give a little back to the project. My students gain so much from this project that the least I can do is to try and help as a volunteer SF.
Dick Pinney Hi, I'm Dick Pinney. I teach computer, general and physical science in Denmark High School. Denmark is a small rural community of 1700 people. We are located 20 miles southeast of Green Bay. Yes, I am one of those season ticket holders for the Packers. I have taught in this community for the last eight years. Before that, I taught in another Northeastern Wisconsin Community. I have taught chemistry, algebra, computer programming and advanced biology in that school. I spend my free time camping, hiking, nature photography, and traveling. I am in the process of earning my master of science degree in computer science.
Dave Grott I presently teach 6th grade having taught most grade levels from 3rd up to 12th over the span of my 24 year career! During the summer I teach Inner City Youth in a special program for extremely at-risk inner-city youth. I am married for over 20 years, have two daughters, a 16 year old, Allison and a 13 year old, Kate, and a MALE mini-schnauzer named Samuel Clemenschnauzer! My wife, Mary Lou is a RN at Castle Point Veterans Hospital. I have been involved in computers/technology in education since 1980 or thereabouts. The AT&T Learning Network hooked me on Telecommunications in 1989 and I have loved it and grown with it ever since. It was that involvement that got me involved in the Smart Filter process. Without the power of telecommunications and the places it allows me to take my classes, I don't think I would be able to teach. It keeps not only me but my students constantly amazed and delighted with the world in which we live!
Greg Waldrop I am participating in this project because I am on the technology committee at the school where I teach - Conroe High School, Conroe, Texas. I want to find out what "classroom" projects are available and because I know there are not many of these projects this experience will help me develop others. I have my Master's in Education Administration and I would like to get my Ed.D. in Educational Technology at Texas A&M.
Michael B. Walsh I'm a senior at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, majoring in Secondary Physical Science Education. The reasons I'm interested in this program are (1) I hope to employ the Internet extensively within my classroom and I think this program will give me some good experience in learning to do so. (2) I'm always willing to help out the organization that has accomplished the greatest feat in all of history (sending men to the moon) (3) I want to be NASA's next teacher in space!
Dennis Cahill Chemistry/Integrated Science Teacher, Thoreau High
Pam Sue Bowers I am director of Drake Planetarium and I currently am conducting a high school astronomy course featuring the pilot program Hands On Universe out of Berkeley, California. My students will be helping with this project and at the same time mentoring middle school students.
Colleen McNeil I am a graduate student in the Educational Psychology Ph.D. program, and I am working at the University at Buffalo's Learning and Technology Lab. Through this position I am a Mac consultant for the faculty and staff of the Graduate School of Education here at UB, and I have been working as a co-ordinator for some Internet projects at the city's Science Magnet elementary school. I have found the Internet to be a wonderful educational tool, but one that is under-utilized even where access is available. Therein lies my motivation for helping out with the Smart Filtering. A small contribution, but it's a start.
Ron Codi At work I maintain our webserver, which runs on a Mac 6100 using Webstar. I teach third grade at Captain Strong Elementary School in Battle Ground, Washington. I have a master's degree in educational technology and have taught myself how to write web documents.
Adenike Adam I am an environmental specialist. I work as a consultant and serve as the president of Pure & Natural, Inc. My motivation in getting involved as a smart filter volunteer is part of my desire to help increase interests in science and engineering.
This page was created by Joshua Parker and Tobin A. Snell, seniors at Palo Alto High School, CA.
