“We explore, we look, we smile.” these are much more than the introductory words to Stanton’s video. They are Stanton’s approach to life. One can’t help but smile when listening to Stanton’s rich Trinidadian voice describe his experiences conducting marine research with students in the reefs in Grande L’Anse, Trinidad.
“Science is like playing! It’s hands-on and fun. It has the capacity to explore places you’ve never been, help or heal and lose yourself in the process. My very first mock lesson in teaching school was about states of matter. I used chocolate as my medium,” laughs Sandy.
Learn more about Sandy’s imaginative and engaging approach to teaching science and gifted kids. And, don't forget to check out the excellent Coral Reef Lesson Plan that Sandy prepared for Shape of Life.
Getting Messy with Ms. O’Frizzle
“I encourage my students to roll up their shirt sleeves and GET MESSY! Make mistakes. Ask lots of questions. Biology can be dirty business,” said Ali. “If you’re not getting messy you’re just not having fun.”
Learn more about how Ali became Ms. O’Frizzle and one of our most engaging community members on Shape of Life social media.
Taking a good look at nature empowers students to find solutions to the social and environmental challenges we all confront daily. It surrounds us and is right under our nose. We just need to make the connection.
Find out how Rosanna helps educators make the connection for their students.
“I was always playing outside as a kid in Alabama. This definitely influenced my curiosity in science. I had an unending desire to investigate how the natural world works.”
-Shannon Hudson,
Crawfordsville Middle School, IN
Discover more about how Shannon helps her students investigate their world
We’re always excited to hear how teachers from all over the world use our resources in their classrooms. It was especially exciting to learn about Emma-Lee who teaches science in the ‘Land Down Under’- the extraordinary continent of Australia.
Check out how Emma-Lee tackles climate change in the days of COVID.
I would say spending lots and lots of time in nature as a child influenced me most in pursuing science,” said Erin Rempala who teaches Environmental Science & Sustainability, Marine Biology and Oceanography at San Diego City College.
If it includes outside adventure, Erin is all IN!
“I want to give my students tools. Not tools so they can get through the content of my class. Content is great, but only if it serves the more important principles that preserve health and the natural world.”
Discover how Tim Rosario blends science education with the sacred stories of Paiute Tribal People (Numu) and their reverence for the earth at Pyramid Lake High School on the Paiute Tribes’ Reservation.
Boundaries?! What Boundaries?Anand Patel is the type of science teacher who easily crosses cultural, social and generational boundaries in his approach to teaching. Anand teaches to the part in each of us that meets in the natural world- rather than the places that may divide us.
Youth Programs Assistant Manager, Seymour Marine Discovery Center
“You will never believe this... when you emailed me this morning, I was using Shape of Life in a virtual marine science summer camp that I am leading. I am currently teaching a program called "Something's Fishy" for youth ages 7-9, and your website really came in handy.”
Learn more about Katrina and the herculean task of teaching summer programs in the time of COVID-1