Teaching

Teaching is focused on the fascinating world of Earth systems. Broadening the student’s conception of the impact of geological processes on our everyday live allows them to develop critical thinking, and triggers their eagerness to pursue scientific exploration. To make complex subjects understandable, I take into consideration students’ prior knowledge; I make use of familiar examples, and then guide the students through the cause and effect relationships that are used in the scientific thought process. Homework and exams are constructed based on the overall abilities of the class. A typical class session includes a short lecture, one or two small group activities, class discussion around a topic, and some time for answering questions. Teaching strategies are assessed constantly as a function of the student’s questions, feedback, requests, and performance. Finally, I integrate research activities into teaching, resulting in a better understanding of the linkage of scientific discovery and benefits to society. Thus, it’s very common for undergraduate students to be engaged in scientific projects through internship programs.

     Advising of undergraduate and high-school students is closely linked to ongoing research activities. During the course of Summer Internships, students are involved in the lab through assignments that would build basic research skills needed to conduct small scale projects. This experience allows them to get the trained in the ethics of scientific research. Students are treated as equals, and we all learn during this process of developing academic individuality and integrity. I embrace the unique set of skills of everyone independent of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomics, and disability, political and religious beliefs. 

The Earth and Planetary Science Interdisciplinary Internship at Carnegie Science (EPIIC): An NSF-REU that offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in the fields of Earth, planetary, and astronomical sciences.