Pine Intermediate School, North Olmsted OH
Document the diverse geological features of Iceland's untouched wilderness to enhance climate and earth science instruction that excites and engages elementary through high school students.
Snorkeling Silfra’s icy waters between the North American and Eurasian plates
Unforgettable whale sightings on the fjord in Akureyri
Exploring Námaskarð — steaming vents, bubbling mud, and Iceland’s geothermal power
Holding centuries-old ice at Jökulsárlón — a glimpse of Iceland’s frozen past
Hiking Vatnajökull Glacier — fully geared for Iceland’s icy wild
Wading through a stream to discover Gljúfrabúi — Iceland’s hidden gem
Experiencing Iceland’s raw geology and climate firsthand transformed how I understand Earth systems—beyond what any textbook could offer. Pursuing this fellowship was vital for me to bring real-world relevance to abstract science concepts my students struggle with. This experience will help me create engaging lessons that make topics like climate change, tectonics, and adaptation clearer, more meaningful, and inspiring for my students.
My teaching will grow more experiential, focusing on real-world phenomena, inquiry, and connecting subjects across the curriculum. I’ll bring hands-on, place-based lessons into the classroom that make Earth science come alive and feel relevant. Using visuals, data, and stories from my Iceland experience, I aim to help students better grasp complex topics like climate change, plate tectonics, and sustainability in an engaging way.
I didn’t expect snorkeling in Silfra to be so intense—the icy water was bone-chilling, and the vastness of the tectonic divide was awe-inspiring. Glacier hiking was equally surprising; hiking on melting ice in 78° heat with 50 mph winds felt both incredible and unsettling. These powerful experiences made the reality of climate change deeply personal and will profoundly influence how I teach these topics moving forward.
Students will experience more immersive, real-world lessons that bring abstract science concepts to life. Drawing from my firsthand experiences with glaciers, volcanoes, and tectonic activity in Iceland, I’ll design engaging, inquiry-driven activities. Using visuals, stories, and data from the trip, students will develop a clearer understanding of climate change, geological processes, and our planet’s interconnected systems—making science more relevant and memorable.
Students will explore virtual reality tours of Icelandic sites I visited, analyze climate and geological data, and dive into problem-based units on glacier melt, volcanic hazards, and sustainability. Using ArcGIS, they’ll create story maps, compare Iceland’s ecosystems with our own, and develop solutions to real-world environmental challenges—making learning interactive, relevant, and globally connected.
I’ll share my experience through school-wide presentations, community STEM nights, and digital resources for families. I plan to collaborate with colleagues across districts on shared lessons and present at state and national conferences. Our team will create virtual field trips and ArcGIS story maps accessible to students, families, and the community—extending the fellowship’s impact beyond our classrooms.