School of Rock 2025
In the steps of Darwin: the geological and natural history of the Ring of Fire and the Galapagos Islands
This year we are partnering with Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory to use the R/V Marcus Langseth for a School of Rock that will take place during a transit from San Diego, CA to Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Ecuador (Galapagos).
During the 14-day transit we will explore the geology and oceanography of the dynamic Pacific Rim using IODP legacy cores and data, delving into the science of subduction zones, spreading centers, and mantle plumes that are responsible for the islands’ formation. Furthermore, we’ll examine evidence for biological evolution and natural selection and what inspired Charles Darwin’s initial theories from observations made during a voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard the H.M.S Beagle from 1831-36. The Langseth supports a wide range of geophysical data collection and instrumentation that we will have access to during the transit to incorporate into teaching units and modules to add to our School of Rock collection.
Goals for this 2025 School of Rock:
- Continue to expand the School of Rock professional development model using legacy IODP cores and authentic data
- Strengthen educational mentoring and network building by supporting applications from pairs of in-service and pre-service educators from both formal and informal settings
- Work with a group of highly motivated, creative and enthusiastic educators from a broad range of backgrounds and experience on individual projects to adapt for instruction at the middle school and high school levels.
- Leave with detailed and realistic drafts and project plans for post-expedition implementation
Where: On board the Marcus Langseth, sailing from San Diego, CA to Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Ecuador
When: July 15-30 2025 (inclusive of sailing and 3-day land-based Galapagos field trip)
What we will do: We will use data collected during prior IODP oceanographic expeditions to explore scientific questions related to active margin plate tectonics, volcanism, and island biogeography, and what those features tell us about Earth history. Ample time will also be spent discussing and demonstrating existing classroom resources on these and related topics while generating new modes of instruction into actionable projects. Throughout the expedition we will brainstorm ideas, share teaching and learning approaches, and utilize the Langseth’s capabilities to the extent possible. At the end of the trip, participants will take part in a group field trip to parts of the Galapagos Islands to explore and connect to the spectacular geology of the area firsthand!
Participants
Leaders
Lisa White is Director of Education and Outreach at the University of California Museum of Paleontology. Past positions held include San Francisco State University Professor of Geology, Chair of Geosciences, and Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering. Lisa has extensive experience with science enrichment programs for urban youth and she is active in efforts to increase diversity in the geosciences through field learning expeditions on land and at sea. A micropaleontologist by training specializing in fossil marine diatoms, she is a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences and the Geological Society of America. As the education director at the UC Museum of Paleontology, Lisa develops and disseminates learning materials including virtual field experiences designed to explore the fossil record, global climate change, and the nature and process of science.
Sharon Cooper is the leader of Education, Outreach and Science Communication for the U.S. Science Support Program for scientific ocean drilling. She has been participating and leading the School of Rock program since 2005. She also leads the STEMSEAS program to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to get experiences of science at sea. She loves to engage teachers and students in exciting science explorations and inspire new thinking, new projects and new directions. In her non-work life, she lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and three boys.
Kaatje van der Hoeven Kraft is a professor of geology and oceanography at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA. She is a geoscience education researcher, particularly interested in factors that impact motivation and persistence with community college students in the geosciences. With this research, she applies educational and equity theory to practice. She has been teaching at the community college for over 20 years.
Leah Joseph is an associate professor in the department of environmental studies at Ursinus College, in Collegeville, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia). Her research is in geology and oceanography (marine geology and paleoclimatology), mostly through the study of deep-sea sediment, focusing on the investigation of aspects of climate and climate change while also finding a fascination with other indications of ocean current flow, such as turbidite deposits. She teaches courses in oceanography and climate, as well as environmental studies, geologic hazards, water and water issues, and waste management. Additionally, she helps oversee the marine science minor, manages the mineral collection on display, and works with students on projects that incorporate sustainability, engaging in critical thinking about modern environmental issues and participates, and, along with Ursinus students, in environmental and science outreach projects in our local area. She has been out at sea as a researcher and as an instructor, and credits the opportunity she had as an undergraduate on a research expedition from Valparaiso to Easter Island, Chile with solidifying her career path in the ocean sciences.
Valerie Bennett is the Director for Graduate Teacher Education at Clark Atlanta University.
Victoria Preston is a field roboticist, an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Olin College in Needham, MA, and a Guest Investigator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. She uses her expertise in scientific robotics to co-develop tools with students and scientists to explore and understand the most extreme environments on earth — deep sea volcanoes, coastal estuaries, and rapidly-evolving coral reefs. Victoria first got connected to topics closely related to this particular School of Rock theme during her graduate studies focused on intelligent decision-making for modern scientific autonomous underwater robots to map dynamic, ephemeral water masses — like hydrothermal plumes. She’s since collaborated on several oceanographic research expeditions to mid-ocean spreading centers, especially the East Pacific Rise, to enhance our collective understanding about ocean and crustal processes. As an educator, her teaching philosophy centers on creating authentic, context-driven, interdisciplinary projects that foster both skill mastery and critical contemplation on the societal role of an engineer.
Participants
Amanda Becker is a middle school teacher in Tucson, AZ. She attended the University of Arizona for degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, English, and Education, and has an MFA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University. She loves working with her students to learn more about the desert they call home. When not in the classroom, she loves to hike, cook, read, dance, and learn anything she can about the ocean.
My name is Ayniah Payne, a rising senior at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Elementary Education. I currently serve as the President of the Georgia Association of Educators Aspiring Educators Program, where I advocate for paid student teaching and work to uplift the voices of future educators across Georgia. Originally from Philadelphia, I’m passionate about creating inclusive, empowering classrooms, and my long-term goal is to become an international teacher, bringing culturally responsive education to students around the world. This opportunity through School of Rock Ecuador is especially meaningful to me because it aligns with my commitment to global learning and using the arts as a bridge to connect with students. I believe music and creativity can spark curiosity, build confidence, and make learning unforgettable. I’m excited to immerse myself in this experience, explore a new culture, and bring back new inspiration to support and energize my future classroom.
Brandi Williams is a doctoral candidate at the University of Oklahoma. She has over 20 years of experience as a secondary science teacher, teaching a range of subjects from life and earth sciences to physical and environmental science. She holds two master’s degrees in Science Education and Curriculum Administration, along with an ESL Graduate Certificate.
A passionate advocate for place-based education, Brandi believes in the power of real-world learning. Her studies in the Peruvian Amazon, Iceland, and the Chesapeake Bay have shaped her commitment to integrating local and regional contexts into science teaching. She also served as the Principal Investigator for Every Day STEM for All, a $400,000 multi-year grant providing professional development to elementary science and math teachers.
Dustin Calder teaches Science at Vista Heights Middle School about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. I have been teaching for 10 years and absolutely love what I do. With a deep commitment to student growth, my focus is creating engaging lessons that help students build a solid understanding of science concepts. It is such a joy to connect with students seeing them develop confidence, think critically, and grow in their understanding and love for science. I hold a bachelor’s in Earth Science Education from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in Earth Science from the University of Utah.
Edinson Aguinaga Arancibia: Originally from Chile, I am a dedicated 9th and 10th-grade science teacher based in Brooklyn, NY. I am committed to fostering an accessible and engaging learning environment for all students, with a particular focus on English language learners. My academic background includes a BA in Earth Science from Columbia University and an MA in Teaching from the American Museum of Natural History. I strive to connect high school students with the natural world by leveraging their diverse cultural backgrounds and personal experiences to build meaningful scientific understanding.
Elizabeth Tedder Wood is a high school biology, environmental science, and oceanography teacher at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, VA. She earned a B.S. in biology and minor in geology from James Madison University and M.S. in environmental science and policy from George Mason University. Experiences that have shaped Elizabeth as a teacher include serving as a Teach for America corps member and conducting paleobiology research and working as an educator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. She is a creative and innovative educator, who designs classroom experiences to engage students’ diverse backgrounds and interests. Some of her favorite lessons involve using food to model phenomena or engage in inquiry! Elizabeth’s dedication to student learning has been recognized with several awards including the Franklin D. Kizer Science Teacher of Tomorrow Award from Virginia Junior Academy of Science, the Elaine Joyce Graduate Teaching Award from George Mason University, and Excellence in Teaching Biology from James Madison University. She is thrilled for her first expedition, opportunity to collaborate with educators and experts, and develop materials that positively impact students.
Mackenzi Beth Lamb: Growing up in the small town of Cayuga, Indiana, I developed a love for the outdoors at a young age. I especially loved water and the river behind my grandma’s house where we would spend all day looking for fossils. As I got older, I became increasingly aware of our many connections to the ocean and to the rest of the world. During my senior year, my high school science teacher helped me get into a marine biology class in Hawai’i and I was hooked. The next summer, I began working outdoors as an interpreter—an informal educator who helps students and visitors make meaningful connections with our natural and cultural resources through field trips, campfire talks, guided walks, games, and more. Since then, I’ve gained six years of experience in interpretation. Along the way, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in marine science in 2022 from California State Polytechnic University Humboldt, where I also studied oceanography and geology. Today, I work as an interpreter on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California where I am constantly inspired by the plants, animals, landscape, and people I get to connect with every day. I’m passionate about making science accessible, fun, and relevant—and about showing students that they can do anything they set their minds to.
Richard Scroggie: My teaching career began in 1995 in the Rio Grande Valley in deep south Texas. After 6 year in the valley, I moved to China, teaching spoken English for a year. From there I started a new adventure moving to Las Vegas. During the following 25 years I taught middle and high school science. Along with teaching, I also met my wife and started an amazing family. We are always looking for our next great adventure and dessert to taste and enjoy.
I’m Shaznee Pittman, I’m currently majoring in Biology-Education. I’m passionate about making science engaging and accessible, especially through hands on learning and real world exploration. I’m interested in all the ways natural systems interact, such as in places like the Galapagos and the Ring of Fire. I love collaborating with others and look forward to inspiring future students through science and storytelling. I’m excited to share this experience with you all!
I’m Tucker Marsing, I have been a public science educator in Salt Lake City, Utah for 9 years. 6 of those years I was in a Title 1 middle school and the last 3 years I have taught in a program that serves students in the justice system. I love the outdoors and adventures of all kinds! I am extremely curious; I love learning new things and having new experiences. I have an amazing girlfriend and the cutest 3 legged dog in the world!
Wendy Kennedy: I have been teaching at Presentation High School, an all girls Catholic school in San Jose CA for 11 years. I teach physics, earth science, and environmental science. I am also the moderator of the Green Initiatives club which encompasses our student environmental action society and student garden club. I enjoy engaging students with their community through the environment.
My education background is in Physics and Planetary Geology. Prior to teaching high school, I worked as a geologist for an Ocean Surveying Company, a science educator at a science museum, a geologist for Public Works Environmental divisions for the US Navy in Atsugi, Japan and as a geologist at an environmental services firm in Guam.
When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me outdoors, hiking trails, or enjoying the beach with my two wonderful kids, 2 dogs, and friends.
Ariel Sherman – Native Southern Californian that attended Cal State, Los Angeles and University of Southern California. Loved going to Friday Harbor Laboratories for a summer in Grad School. Completed an RET Program at UCLA. Loves to binge watch series (animated or live action), drink yummy teas, and eat delicious treats. She can occasionally be found on a walk in the mountains that may or may not have cell service.
As an informal educator, Erika Delemarre has worked on (and under!) the Pacific and Indian Oceans since 2012. During her time spent working in coastal Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Palau, and the western United States, Erika has contributed to youth development programs, marine scientific monitoring projects, and conservation outreach and education initiatives. Erika has a deep passion for multi-dimensional marine conservation work, and the role she plays as a science communicator, helping people of all ages and backgrounds discover and explore their unique connection with the ocean. In addition to her love of building stewardship through education, Erika is a fervent advocate for plastic-free seas and marine protected areas (MPAs).
Erika holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Northern Arizona University. At home on the central coast of California, she volunteers her time as a co-chairperson for the Monterey Marine Protected Area Collaborative and the volunteer coordinator for the Monterey Surfrider Chapter. When she’s not sharing the wonders of the ocean with anyone within earshot or hiking a trail with her best buddy, a blue heeler named Banjo, Erika enjoys a variety of outdoor pursuits including scuba diving, kayaking, camping, and gardening.
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