About Dr. Swift
Both this site and I are always in progress :-)
Penny Kip Otis
Looking back I realized I've been teaching since 1979 in various classroom environments! I started teaching biology laboratory classes as an undergraduate in college. I've been teaching middle school science at DDMS since 2004 and taught biology and chemistry at Green Hope High School for one year before that. I spent a semester at Meredith College teaching animal physiology and taught laboratory classes at University of Alabama, University of South Alabama, and Clemson University in biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, human physiology and cell biology. I also conducted summer science camps for middle school students at Clemson University.
During my research career, I primarily studied how organisms make minerals (shells, teeth, bones), but did a postdoctoral study on the molecular genetics of peanut oils.
I am passionate about scientific knowledge and communication. The list is too long to show how science connects to your daily life. My goal is to inspire you to stay scientifically literate in life, and it is a bonus to me if you actually decide to become a scientist.
I'm married to a great guy named Austin, two wonderful children Sara (also a middle school teacher, check out her site) and Austin (an engineering student at UNCC, check out his site), an awesome dog Penny, and my two crazy cats Otis and Kip. I enjoy gardening, visiting parks, reading, writing, watching Sci-Fi movies, walking my dog, Tai Chi, and traveling.
Community and Regional Events: I am an active participant in several organizations in the community at large, especially involving science and community/social awareness. I serve on my neighborhood HOA Board of Directors.
B.S.-Biology and Marine Science, University of Alabama
M.S.-Biology, University of South Alabama
Ph.D.-Zoology, Clemson University
NBCT-I was certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards in 2019
At the Science March in Raleigh on Earth Day 2017. This was a very uplifting event. SO many people attended and there were multiple inspiring speeches, booths set up for education and entertainment. A good chance to see awesome t-shirts proclaiming how you felt about science, how it affects your daily life, how you think it should be viewed by the public and so much more.
eclipse.MOVtotaleclipse.MOVAttending the Total Solar Eclipse on August 21 in Clemson, SC. This was a chance for me to return to my alma mater and witness a once in a lifetime event, a total solar eclipse that was just a few hours drive my home! I made short videos about every 10 minutes from the onset of the eclipse on a golf course (an attempt to stay away from the crowds in the town and on campus) to the final main event, totality! Forgive the fact that it was really hot out in the sunlight and I was getting pretty sweaty before it was all over :-) There are two video clips, one just before totality, and one during the main event.
IMG_3274.MOVHow fun was this? What a great way to see how the Earth can move during an earthquake--the seismic s-wave. Gummy Wave Machine was a hit.
I love to travel and have new experiences. Most recently, I traveled to the Southwest and explored several national and state parks. I enjoyed seeing the salt flats, antelope canyon, arches, natural bridges, Zion, gooseneck, monument valley, Snowbird, and the Great Salt Lake.