Telling the Story of Us in Our Planet
If you step outside Nicole Crane’s office at Cabrillo College, you see the Monterey Bay. When Nicole isn’t teaching about ocean science, she wears her marine scientist hat and leads a project in a faraway part of the same ocean — in Micronesia.
We were first introduced to Carole through our Tree of Life Poster Contest where she shared her experience using Shape of Life resources in her classroom at Maryvale Prep School. What impressed us most is the way Carole credits her childhood experience in the outdoors to her lifelong love of science. It’s tough getting kids outside with all the ‘insta-info’ on screens. Carole’s approach certainly is encouraging.
OUR WINNER!Guadalupe was a definite 'stand out' in our Tree of Life poster contest.
She is a very special teacher with a multi-layered appreciation for science.
Guadalupe is a dual-language immersion teacher at a school with a high percentage of low-income students, in Los Angeles County.
"Language is no barrier when I share Shape of Life videos with my students."
Guadalupe has been teaching for 10 years. She has taught Kindergarten, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade. Currently, Guadalupe teaches Kindergarten at La Ballona Elementary School in Culver City, CA - where she shares her love of science with young children.
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.
Brittany Basse, Middle School Teacher, Baychester Middle School, Bronx, NYC
Brittany Basse, teaches eighth grade Science and Humanities at Baychester Middle School in the Bronx, New York City. The layers of challenges echo in her title alone – yet her candor, direct approach, honesty, and an unpolished sense of humor make it clear why she does not just survive but thrives in a teaching environment where turnover rates and morale are often in stark contrast.
Attending conferences is always fun for us. This summer we attended National Marine Educators Association annual conference—and it was a BLAST!
A highlight was meeting the enthusiastic (and, we mean enthusiastic!) teacher, Charlene Mauro who has been using Shape of Life in her classroom for 20 years. Charlene teaches at The Navarre Beach Marine Science Station- a unique fusion of formal and informal education.
Lacey Moore has worked and played outside all her life. As an adventure travel guide Lacey enjoyed the physical engagement of being outside backpacking and kayaking in the Pacific Northwest- “but, my favorite part was sharing the science behind the natural world with people of all ages. I believe it lends greater depth to the outdoor experience,” says Lacey.
When we asked Lisa Uttal if she thought of herself as more of a teacher or scientist she quickly responded, “I can't decide which one-- I love doing both.” We could tell she had given it some thought. And, on the gorgeous sunny day we met Lisa at the Santa Cruz Wharf—there was no question that she had struck the perfect balance between science, education and communication. The kind of balance that can only result in a contagious curiosity about our oceans.
Jeffiner Reynolds NSTA from Shape of Life on Vimeo.
Take a gorgeous 75 degree California day, a group of rambunctious middle school students coming inside from lunch, and get them to focus on how the sun can be transformed into renewable energy.
No problem for Angela Duke who teaches 6th and 7th graders about the environment and where they fit into the protection of it.