High School Teacher- Peachtree Ridge HS, Suwanee GA
Pronouns: she/her
Research Interests
I want to learn all I can about prairie grass! I currently teach 9th grade biology. This summer I am focused on project based learning and incorporating Team Echinacea’s work into the classroom. I live far from any prairie but want my students to have the opportunity to learn from engaging and inquiry based lessons about prairie ecology.
Statement
I am from Suwanee GA
In my spare time I like to embroider and go on long walks.
2023 RET participant, Victoria Romero, spent time over the summer designing a lesson plan for using the ABT format. She implemented this in her project-based learning class. Students presented their enzyme research in a “poster conference” style format. Each student had 3 minutes to describe their enzyme models using the ABT format. This project was implemented early in the year so there was hesitation, but Victoria may plan more ABT format presentations throughout the year.
Victoria also plans to implement ecology focused lessons later in the year. She is teaching an English for second language ecology course, so she may modify her lessons to fit that.
Victoria takes GPS points in the field! Team Echinacea had lots of time to think about and discuss ABTs for our work this summer.
Start year: 2023
Location: Western Minnesota and Gwinnet County Public Schools
Overlaps with: NA
Data collected: NA
Samples or specimens collected: NA
Products: Victoria’s website to introduce her students to the ABT format project can be found here: Enzyme Project Her presentation to the 2023 summer team is located in “Dropbox/teamEchinacea2023/victoriaRomero”
Applications for summer 2024 now closed. Check back next year!
2023 Teacher Researcher, Victoria Romero, collects pollen from an Echinacea angustifolia plant to assess pollen characteristics in burned and unburned prairies.
Join our team to investigate ecology, evolution, and conservation biology in fragmented tallgrass prairie under the beautiful skies of Douglas County, Minnesota! We explore biological processes in remnant prairies and collect data in 27 long-term experiments. We conduct cutting-edge research on plant populations, insect communities, pollination, prescribed fires, and prairie management. You will be a part of a diverse science team including professors, teachers, and students (undergraduate, graduate students, and high school). You will develop an independent project by building on this ongoing work or branching out in a new direction. You will return to the classroom with a plan and funding to encourage your students with new techniques and experiences gained in the field.
The Echinacea Project is recruiting an enthusiastic K-12 or community college educator for a paid professional development opportunity researching tallgrass prairie during the summer field season. As an NSF-funded RET (Research Experiences for Teachers) participant, you will gain hands-on experience collecting experimental data, ask novel questions by developing an independent research project, and design a plan to bring scientific concepts and methods into your classroom.
Previous RET participants’ projects have included:
Designing a lesson plan for students to generate and test hypotheses about plants their natural habitat
Developing bee collection methods for secondary and post-secondary classrooms
Establishing an experimental prairie restoration for students to develop science skills such as hypothesis testing and data collection
Creating an experimentation-based outdoor lesson plan and assessing students’ responsiveness to different learning techniques
Constructing a dichotomous key for pollen identification in high school biology classes
If you are interested in research and collaborating with other scientists, please apply! RET participants will receive a stipend, reimbursement for travel costs, and housing near the field site. The dates are flexible based on your school system, but the program generally runs for 6-10 weeks. Previous teacher researchers have often worked from mid-June through August. We strongly encourage educators from underfunded school districts and educators from groups underrepresented in science to apply.
To apply,please download and complete this form and send it to Stuart Wagenius along with your resume. Please arrange for a letter of recommendation to be sent to Stuart as well. Email all application materials to echinaceaproject@gmail.com. Applications for summer 2024 are due by January 5th, 2024. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and employed as a science educator at a K-12 school or community college.
Britney House (left), RET participant 2022, collects nectar from a flowering Echinacea for her research project. Photo credit: Dr. Rahul Roy
Want to learn more about who we are? Click here to learn about a day in the life of Team Echinacea. Please explore our field blog and follow these links to read blog posts by previous Team Echinacea RETs:
Matt (2nd from left) and Lea (center) were RET participants in 2015. Lea continued conducting research with Team Echinacea, and she just earned her PhD at Northwestern University!
“The Echinacea project was great for learning about experimental design and learning techniques for field work that could translate to conducting research in a K-12 setting. Most of the work we do involves low-cost tools and equipment which is perfect for educational settings with no budget for materials.
After a summer with the Echinacea project I felt I was much more equipped to design a project involving real scientific research for my students.
I also loved how the atmosphere of the Echinacea project is community-oriented and breaks down a traditional hierarchy of age and education. Everyone is able to contribute based on the knowledge they bring to the table.”
-Lea Richardson (RET participant 2015)
John (RET participant 2018 & 2019) measures plants in one of our experimental plots with two undergraduate researchers, Jay and Avery
“I’ve gained so much from my summer opportunities there and been able to incorporate lessons into my classroom for my students. I’ve witnessed first hand and helped researchers going the process of actively collecting data and coming to conclusions from their data has been an invaluable experience for me and my students….The students also have the opportunity to design and conduct their own research by asking a question that can be answered by the data they collect on the plots.
For me as an educator, my experience and getting to know other scientists involved with the Echinacea project has provided many opportunities that many kids don’t get to have in a rural public school.”
-John VanKempen (RET participant 2018 & 2019)
Alex (RET participant 2021) takes demography data on a flowering Echinacea
“Not only did I improve my own inquiry and research skills, but I also developed lessons and resources to use with my students and share with other teachers. I also gained a network of people across the country to both collaborate with in future endeavors and to support me in implementing my lessons with my students.
The Echinacea Project encourages ideas and creativity, it is very much a “think tank” type atmosphere. I left the program feeling refreshed, recharged, and excited to teach my new group of students.
I highly recommend considering doing an RET summer with Team Echinacea, it is an amazing experience!”
Every summer the Echinacea Project provides employment and internships for undergraduate students, recent graduates, graduate students, and others starting or expanding their science or conservation careers. Our summer researchers receive training, gain skills, and get much and diverse experience. In turn, summer field researchers contribute immensely to the project. We accomplish a lot every summer.
2024
Abby Widell, lead research assistant, Chicago Botanic Garden
