Museum selects educators for summer adventures
May 16,
2003
For Immediate Release
Science, education, environment writers
Contacts: Jon Pishney
(919) 733-7450
RALEIGH – Teachers from across North Carolina will experience the natural world firsthand as part of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Educators of Excellence Institutes. Two different institutes will be offered in the summer of 2003.
Fourteen educators will travel to Yellowstone National Park, June 17-24, to observe bison, wolves, and elk and discover the area’s geothermal wonders. From July 14-July 22, 12 additional educators will trek to Belize, Central America, to explore rain forests and coral reefs and birdwatch in the jungle.
Educators of Excellence Institutes aim to inform and empower educators to teach students about North Carolina’s ecological connections to the rest of the world. More than 25,000 North Carolina children have learned from teachers who have participated in these Museum treks. “It’s vital for teachers to get out of the classroom and into the natural world,” said Mary Ann Brittain, the Museum’s director of school programs. “Through their involvement in these institutes, educators have a rare opportunity to get firsthand field experience.”
The educators were selected through a competitive application process. These participants join more than 200 other outstanding North Carolina science educators who have participated in these programs since 1987.
When the educators return they will join the Educators of Excellence Network, made up of previous Institute participants. Through its newsletter and activities, the network helps teachers exchange innovative ideas for teaching science and promoting conservation awareness.
Educators selected for the Yellowstone National Park Institute are:
- Judy Rose Britton, Bradley Middle School, Mecklenburg County
- Brenda N. Daniel, Southwestern Randolph High School, Randolph County
- Julie Dermody, Mary Scroggs Elementary, Orange County
- John T. Duncan Jr., Dana Elementary, Henderson County
- Andrew Edwards, Ravenscroft School, Wake County
- Diane Ellington, Brinson Memorial Elementary, Craven County
- Vida Holland, Washington Elementary, Cleveland County
- Michelle K. Knapik, Jonathan Valley Elementary, Haywood County
- Kathleen L. LaFontaine, North Wilkesboro Elementary, Wilkes County
- Eustacia Lowry-Jones, Union Chapel Elementary, Robeson County
- George R. Mayfield III, East Rutherford High School, Rutherford County
- Sue McBean, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Chatham County
- Carol Mizelle, Askewville Elementary, Bertie County
- Amy Plahuta, East Clayton Elementary, Johnston County
- Alternates are: Jane W. Conolly, N.C. State Parks, Gaston County, and Jayson Duncan, Pine Hall Elementary, Stokes County
Educators selected for the Tropical Ecology Institute in Belize, Central America are:
- T. Scott Byington, Cary Academy, Wake County
- Katie Blair Cartwright, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Carteret County
- Lisa Gibson, Isaac Dickson Elementary, Buncombe County
- Brad Hallmark, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Vance County
- Kerry Hazen, Ligon GT Magnet Middle School, Wake County
- Angie Larner, Morehead Elementary, Mecklenburg County
- Tammy D. Lee, GR Whitfield Elementary, Pitt County
- Michael S. Leonard, Franklin County Creative, Franklin
- Carol Mizelle, Newport Elementary, Carteret County
- Tracie Bowen Mizelle, Bath Elementary, Beaufort County
- Sandra K. Sutton, Forest Hill Elementary, Burke County
- Doreen Tylak, Bolton Elementary, Forsyth County
- Alternates are: Sue Hove, Fox Road Elementary, Wake County, and James Nolen, GR Whitfield Elementary, Pitt County
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, in downtown Raleigh, documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.
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