I had the opportunity to do field work in Antarctica as an undergrad and stayed on at NIU for a Masters degree and two more trips “to the ice”. Pursuing a geology degree at Northern Illinois University seemed like a no-brainer after high school even though I never had an Earth science course.

That interest has never faded I’m still an avid rock hound to this day. I grew up in the Midwest (Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois) where I developed a boyhood interest in fossils. I’ve been teaching at UMass-Amherst since 1985. Her experience ranges from educational television production, museum theatre and curriculum development to teacher education, undergraduate teaching and field guiding experiences in Texas, Mexico and Alaska’s Inside Passage.Īn avid sailor, Leslie has raced and explored the waters of the western Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi Bay, the Gulf of Alaska, Resurrection Bay and Lake Michigan. Before Shedd, Leslie held positions as the first education director for the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska and as education specialist at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, expanding on thirteen years in south Texas secondary science classrooms. In her most recent position, as the Director of Interpretive Education at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, she directed thirty to forty staff in developing and implementing a wide array of daily learning activities for the Aquarium’s 2.1 million yearly guests. Leslie Peart became Education Director for the Joint Oceanographic Institutions in August 2004, adding another twist to her diverse career as a science teacher and marine educator. In addition, shipboard technical staff will provide guidance and content related to hands-on laboratory activities. During this workshop, teachers will be mentored and taught by scientists who are actively engaged in IODP research, the USIO Education Director, and staff. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program – United States Implementing Organization is excited to take advantage of a 16-day break between scientific operations and carry out a seagoing pilot teacher workshop on board the JOIDES Resolution during a transit from Victoria, B.C., Canada, to Acapulco, Mexico. An Ocean-going, Hands-on Research Expedition for Earth and Ocean Science Teachers

Resolution of my favorite chaperone