I am interested in teaching and curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate coursework in geology, astronomy, and writing. A sample of my teaching portfolio is provided below, and additional education and public outreach activities are listed on the outreach page.
TEACHING AWARDS
2011 Cranson W. and Edna B. Shelley Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
Cornell University Department of Astronomy
2011 James F. Slevin Assignment Sequence Prize
Cornell University Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines
For the assignment series "Reporting on the Rovers" developed for ASTRO 1110
COURSE DEVELOPMENT
The Exploration of Mars
ASTRO 1110, a First-Year Writing Seminar at Cornell University, taught Spring 2011
Will humans live on Mars someday? Did Martian life ever exist? What drives us to explore the solar system, and is exploration worth the risks? In this First-Year Writing Seminar, we will explore such questions through a study of the history and future of Mars exploration. Topics range from the first telescopic observations to the Mars Exploration Rovers to speculations about colonization and terraforming. Readings will include popular science texts by Carl Sagan and Steve Squyres, and classic science fiction such as The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. Students will write newspaper articles and magazine stories in addition to research essays. Our goal is not to memorize facts about Mars, but to use writing to understand our neighbor planet as a world and a new frontier.
[download syllabus] [download example assignment series]
Spectroscopy of the Martian Surface
Developed for the Cornell University Future Faculty Teaching Certificate Program, not taught
Were there ever lakes and oceans on Mars? Were there hydrothermal systems that could have supported life? These and similar questions are at the forefront of Mars science, and they are currently being addressed by spectrometers on orbital spacecraft and ground-based rovers. In this seminar designed for graduate students and upper-level undergraduates, we will learn about the major spectroscopic discoveries of the past two decades and explore the techniques of planetary spectroscopy. We will explore visible, near-infrared, and thermal infrared spectroscopy in three course units: (1) theory; (2) hands-on laboratory spectroscopy; and (3) spacecraft multi- and hyper-spectral data. Students will choose an independent research project using real data from Mars for their final projects.
[download syllabus]
Science Communication Workshop
COMM 566, a seminar for science graduate students at Cornell University, taught Spring 2008 with Prof. Bruce Lewenstein
The objective of this workshop is to train scientists to communicate effectively with non-scientists, such as policy makers, stakeholders, the media, and the general public. We will meet weekly for two hours per session. Training activities may include some or all of the following: role-playing, reading/discussion, invited speakers, field trips, and a training session with a professional media trainer.
[download syllabus] [AGU abstract about this course]
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
California Institute of Technology Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
Mentor, HS student Mithra Bhada
Project title: "The Distribution and Morphologies of Crater Mounds on Mars"
Summer 2012
Cornell University Department of Astronomy
Instructor, ASTRO 1110, "The Exploration of Mars" (a First-Year Writing Seminar)
Designed a new syllabus and led two 75-minute seminars/week (17 students)
Spring 2011
Co-advisor, REU student Annabelle Batista
Co-advised with Dr. Wes Watters; project title: "Hydrovolcanism in Gusev Crater"
Summer 2010
Grader, ASTRO 2280, "Space Exploration"
Evaluated and provided written comments to ~90 student essays each semester
Fall 2007, Fall 2009
Co-organizer, COMM 566, "Science Communication"
Designed syllabus and coordinated guest speakers
Spring 2008
Teaching Assistant, ASTRO 102, "Our Solar System"
Led two 50-minute sections/week (45 students), wrote and graded assignments
Spring 2008
Teaching Assistant, ASTRO 101, "The Nature of the Universe"
Led two 50-minute sections/week (18 students), wrote and graded assignments
Fall 2007
Teaching Assistant, ASTRO 202, "Our Home in the Solar System"
Graded essays and exams, held office hours and student conferences (25 students)
Spring 2007
Grader, ASTRO 490, "Critical Thinking"
Evaluated and provided written comments to student essays and exams (35 students)
Fall 2006
Teaching Assistant, ASTRO 233, "Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics"
Evaluated essays, held office hours and student conferences (4 students)
Fall 2006
Wellesley College Physics and Astronomy Departments
Tutor, all introductory physics courses
Held drop-in homework help hours, led group review sessions
2003-2004
Lab Assistant, Astronomy 101, "Introduction to Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology"
Led telescopic observing sessions, led review sessions and administered quizzes
2002-2004
TEACHING TRAINING
Future Faculty Teaching Certificate Program, Cornell University
2010-2011
Writing 7100, "Teaching Writing," Cornell University
2010
Center for Astronomy Education Teaching Excellence Workshop, University of Arizona
2008
Writing 701, "Writing in the Majors," Cornell University
2006
Teaching
Shortcuts
Teaching Awards
Course Development
Teaching Experience
Teaching Training