Participants

I'm an Energy and Power Instructor at HV Jenkins High School.

I went to college at California University of Pennsylvania and majored in Technology Education. Growing up I had no intentions of being a teacher, but I always knew I wanted to work with technology.

I am constantly trying to figure out how things work, how they go together, and how can I make systems more efficient.

I have a Bachelor's in Biology from Georgia Southern University

I am a current graduate student in the Master of Art in Teaching program at Georgia Southern University.

I will be student teaching 7th grade life science this fall at Southeast Bulloch Middle School. Since I have a degree in Biology, I will be able to teach 7th grade life science or high school biology. I have a concentration in Environmental Sustainability so I hold conservation and the push for renewable energy close to heart.

This is my 19th school year at Screven County High

I am broadfield certified but only teach the life sciences. I have taught all levels of general Biology, Advanced Placement Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology and Environmental Science.

I also taught a course called Biology of the Senses with Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth.

I have a Bachelor's in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Biology from Georgia Southern and a Masters in Education from Cambridge College. I also have a Ed Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Cambridge College.

I teach grades 10-12 at Stockbridge High School, Henry County Schools, Stockbridge, GA.

I have taught chemistry, physics, earth systems, environmental science, and physical science.

I have a Bachelors in Science (Chemistry 5-12), and a Masters in Science Education (Physics, 5-12)

I have previously participated in a US Department of Education Improving Teacher Quality State Grant funded program provided by the University of West Georgia: Application of Energy Related Core Ideas and Practices across Middle and Secondary Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences Content.

I'm an 8th grade AVID coordinator at Valdosta Middle School.

I received my Bachelors in Psychology from Berea College in Kentucky. I have a Masters from Arizona State University in Secondary Education

I've taught in Phoenix, Spain, England, South Korea , and Ghana.

I am currently a 6th grade science teacher at Southeast Bulloch Middle School.

I have been teaching middle school science for four years and prior to that I taught high school science for four years. I have taught Physical Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Earth Systems and Earth Science.

Prior to teaching I owned my own business for ten years. Prior to being a business owner, I worked in manufacturing as an Industrial Engineer. I received my Bachelors degree from Ball State University.

Tricia Kirkland, Physical Science Teacher

As a chemist with a Bachelors in Chemistry, I worked in research and development for 10 years in industry. In 2003, I obtained an M.Ed. in Secondary Science Education, and in 2009 an Education Specialist degree in Teaching and Learning. All degrees earned were from GSU.

Currently, I teach 8^th grade Physical Science at a Title 1 school in Bulloch County, GA.

I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in biology in 2016 where I continued my education and am currently a graduate student in the Master in the Art of Teaching program.

I am student teaching 7th grade life science at Swainsboro Middle School this fall and hope to teach 7th grade life science come next fall.

Upon graduation from the MAT program, I plan to continue my education towards an Ed Specialist degree.

Sydney Pilgrim

I will be starting my first year of teaching at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville, SC. This summer in the ENERGY program has been so rewarding and I’m so thankful for this experience. I have learned so much about how beneficial it is for students to be informed about Energy and renewable resources. This truly has been an experience I will never forget and I am thankful I can bring back all I’ve learned into the classroom. I hope I can invest in my students as much as everyone invested in me this summer.

Dianne Lhotte

Dianne is a Georgia certified teacher in four subject fields includidn Technology Education, She has over twenty years of experience in the classroom (USA and international: Morocco, Panama, and Khazakhstan), eight years of educational leadership experience, plus grant writing, school accreditation team, conference and staff development presentation experience. She has coached and advised numerous student competitors to local, regional, state, and national standing, in multiple subject areas. She has developed curriculum currently in use in Georgia public schools that has been disseminated by the Georgia State Department of Education.

Currently, she teaches the Engineering and Audio Visual Film Technology CTAE career pathways at FHS, and is the high school chapter advisor of the FHS Technology Student Association (TSA).

Johnetta Moore

I have taught 3 years of 8th grade Physical Science at Risley Early College, and I will begin my 7th year teaching 7th grade Life Science at Risley Middle School in Brunswick, Georgia! I am certified in Middle Grades Social Studies, Mathematics, and Sciences. I have always been known as an educator that likes to shine from behind! Well, with all that I have learned this summer in the Wind Lab I am sure my classroom will feel the breeze. I hope to open eyes to STEM in my classrooms, and engage students beyond places they never imagined their minds to reach. The NSF-RET Energy program has pushed me to do more to build bridges and close gaps for myself, my students, my classes, my school, and my community!

Donita Legoas

I have been teaching for 20 years, have taught in a variety of grades from Pre-K through 8^th, and I am currently a 6^th grade Earth Science and STEM Research teacher at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia.

I graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and then received my Master’s Degree in Integrated Teaching through the Arts from Lesley University. I am the Georgia Middle School Representative for the Georgia Science Teacher Association.

I participated in the Solar Tracking lab this summer and learned a great deal of information about renewable energy and the engineering and design process. I am excited to take the knowledge I have acquired through the program back to my students this year!

James Conaway

S.T.E.M teacher at Langston Chapel Middle School.

I have been Teaching for 5 years. I have taught 8th Grade science for a year, and 2 years in both 7th Grade science and Connections class S.T.E.M.

The NSF-RET program has opened up pathways for me to explore with my students in home energy management systems. Having students test and evaluate and then be able to try to improve our design for the Testing "rig" I think will be a big benefit for both myself and them.

Kristina Istre

I am currently a 7th grade Life Science and STEM teacher at ARJ Health Science and Engineering Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia in Richmond County for the 2018-2019 school year. I was very honored to be elected the District 9 Representative for GSTA. I hope to offer professional development opportunities to members in my district and to be an advocate for any needs of the educators and administrators in my district.

I have been teaching a variety of grade levels in Richmond County for 22 years (Wow! I can't believe how time has flown). I was named the 2016 GSTA Middle School Teacher of the year. I am proud to say that I have a fantastic 17 year old son named Nicholas and a 20 year old nephew in his 3rd year at Georgia Southern. I am also known as "One of the Science Sisters" because my twin sister, Donita Legoas (the GSTA Middle School Rep.), is also a science teacher at my school.

Willie Haynes

Hubert Middle School, Savannah GA

Years Teaching: 32

6th Grade: Exploring Engineering / Technology

7th Grade: Inventions and Innovations

8th Grade: Technological Systems

Impact of Energy Program: The Energy program provided an opportunity for authentic professional development that I can immediately apply to my curriculum. The Understanding by Design skills I obtained will allow me to construct curriculum that allows the students to connect real-world learning to the solving the problem of reducing global warming through the use of renewable energies. Working in the wind lab provided me an opportunity to conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and construct wind turbine blades. These experiments will transfer readily to the unit I currently teach on renewable energy.

Tara Hart

Tara is a Georgia Southern graduate in Middle Level education with an emphasis in Math and Science. She currently teaches 7th grade in South Carolina.

Sara Beall

Skyler Smith

Skyler Smith is a graduate of Georgia Southern's Middle Grades education program with an emphasis in Math and History.

Keith Bazemore

Graduated from Armstrong State University in education in 1995.

Completed masters in biology from Western Governors University in 2011.

Beginning 25th year as a teacher, the last five at South Effingham High School.

Environmental Science

Katrina Vaughn

BS – University of Florida; MED – University of Florida; EDS – Valdosta State University,

Teaching Experience -

3^rd Self Contained – Lake Butler Elementary School, Lake Butler, FL

Media Specialist – Ben Hill Elementary School, Fitzgerald, GA

Pre-K – Purdue Primary School, Warner Robins, GA

5^th Grade - Ben Hill Elementary School, Fitzgerald, GA

6^th Grade Earth Science – Ben Hill Middle School, Fitzgerald, GA

8^th Grade Physical Science - Ben Hill Middle School, Fitzgerald, GA

6^th - 8^th STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) - (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math)

Matthew Hunter Smith

Originally from Blairsville, Georgia, Mr. Smith moved to the Statesboro area in 2014 upon entering active service with the US Army. He served with distinction as a CBRN Specialist with the 366th CBRN Company in Savannah Georgia, completing one tour in the Middle East in 2015-2016. In May 2019, he graduated cum laude from Georgia Southern with a Bachelors in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Social Studies and Science. Mr. Smith now works at Ebenezer Middle School as an 8th Grade Georgia History teacher and assistant football coach.

Hobbs' Picture and bio

Kate Hobbs

I began teaching in 1996. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies from Georgia State, as well as a Masters Degree in Middle School Science and a Specialist Degree in Middle School Reading from the University of Georgia. I am also certified to teach High School Science. I have my Gifted endorsement. I taught in the Atlanta area for 14 years before moving back home to Savannah, Ga. I currently teach Physical Science at The STEM Academy in the Savannah Chatham County school district.

Stephanie Christie

Stephanie S. Christie is the mother of two children 21 yr old Bailey and 15 yr old Kalissa. She is lives in the small town of Ludowici, GA, but, she teaches in Hinesville, GA the much larger military town. She completed her B.S. in Middle Grades education at Brewton Parker College, masters at the beautiful University of Alaska in Fairbanks, and education specialists at Nova Southeastern University. Stephanie teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th grade gifted science, serves a gifted department head, and coaches cheerleading. Middle school students are her love. She loves to watch them grow and change. Additionally, she loves to help them learn to dissect the world as a young adult and not a child. She believes this change is remarkable, and they need extended guidance through this process.

Jaime Conner

I am a teacher candidate at the College of Coastal Georgia. My expertise is in ELA, math, and I am working on my ESOL Endorsement.

I will be incorporating the science and engineering I learned from the program into a seventh grade math class at Needwood Middle School in Brunswick, Georgia.

I always dreamed of working in STEM and I plan to make more children confident in the engineering and energy fields.