Chuck and Cathy Williamson
Science Communication Fellowship
The Williamson Fellowship is aimed at increasing geoscience communications and encouraging diversity in the geosciences. The Williamson Fellows will develop relationships with 7-12 public school programs, engage youth in geoscience, increase public science literacy, and provide opportunities for U of U geoscience students to gain outreach and science communication experience.
All teaching resources & activities
Meet Mikelia and Victoria!
2022-2023 Williamson fellows
MIKELIA HEBERER
Mikelia Heberer is a 2nd-year PhD student in the Department of Geology and Geophysics working with Dr. Kathleen Ritterbush. Her research is focused around extinct, externally shelled cephalopods called ammonites (closely related to a modern-day octopus or squid). Mikelia received her bachelor’s degree in geography with a geology emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Previously, Mikelia worked in a research group, focusing on landslide prevention and education along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, and has tutored many students throughout her undergraduate career. In her free time, Mikelia likes to travel, write, and hike. With this amazing opportunity, Mikelia wants to promote student excitement and participation in the geosciences.
VICTORIA PAVLOVICS
Victoria Pavlovics is a 1st year masters student in Geology & Geophysics working with Dr. Pete Lippert. Her research focuses on mineral magnetism in polished fault zones and rock and mineral magnetism in anthropology. Victoria received her bachelor's degrees in Geology and Anthropology at the University of Florida, where she led her geology club on field trips around the southeast of the United States. Victoria spends her free time hiking, skiing, and hanging out with her cat. Victoria has participated in outreach events such as ‘Can You Dig It?’ where geoscience is taught to grade students using hands-on activities. She is delighted to share her knowledge and passion for geology with students to increase the involvement in STEM at a young age.
2022-2023 News
U Campus Explorations |
Mikelia and Tori organized a trip to the Protospace at the Marriott Library to 3D scan objects and tour the space and library. This was for students in an after school STEM club.
Tori, Mikelia and Hana also took high school students the Sutton building to check out fossils and tour the building.
Williamson Fellows' Great Salt Lake Field Trip and Bio/Ecology Station |
Williamson Fellows Tori and Mikelia have been enjoying their time in their respective classrooms developing and supporting lessons, presentation, and hands-on lab experiences. They've also been getting out on a few field trips! Tori supported a 7th grade September field trip to the GSL (pictures below), and both Mikelia and Tori ran the Bio/Ecology station for 8th grade students in October.
Meet the NEW Williamson Assistants!
New this year, we have two enthusiastic undergraduates who will shadow our Williamson Fellows and learn more about how to share and communicate science in the public school classrooms! This spring 2023, the Williamson Assistants have been shadowing the Williamson Fellows. Zach and Hana are great at supporting groups and working with students on various projects, and helping with field preps - including a trip to a wastewater treatment plant.
ZACH KNETTLES
Zach Knettles is a junior transfer student from SLCC, and is currently a recipient of the Robert Noyce Science Foundation Scholarship and participant in the UITE Secondary STEM educator program pursuing a Bachelor's in Geology and a Master's in Education. He has enjoyed exploring the country and staying in National Forests, gaining a love for the rich and diverse natural world and our country's numerous ecosystems. Now as a single father, he spends much of his free time taking his young daughter on outdoor adventures or to the museum, aquarium, and aviary. He particularly wants to help young people think critically and look at problem-solving from multiple lenses. He will strive to help build scientific literacy and support the joy of learning success, while helping make science fun.
HANA MCKINNON
Hana McKinnon is an undergraduate major in Environmental Geoscience. She’s had many opportunities working with K-12 students on Environmental Science Education and it is super excited for this opportunity. Since early fall, she worked at Red Butte Garden with their school programs department with K-6 grade students. During summers, she works in Moab as a rafting guide. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, snowboarding, rafting, and learning new ways to cook tofu. As a Williamson assistant, Hana is excited to become more familiar with STEM education in different age groups and to be able to share what she is learning in her major.
The Williamson Fellows, Assistants, and mentor Tommy really enjoyed an escape room experience to get a lot of ideas for creating a geo-escape in the classroom!
Tommy Good, a science teacher at SLCSE Bryant Middle School, will oversee this year’s cohort of the Williamson Science Communication Fellows. Tommy received his Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Geoscience from DePauw University (2010), his Master’s of Science in Geology from the University of Utah (2013), and his Master’s of Education from DePaul University (2015). He taught in Chicago Public Schools before moving back to Utah to help further the mission and expansion of the Salt Lake Center for Science Education within the Salt Lake City School District.
Goal: Our main goal this year is to develop and organize a variety of field trips around the Salt Lake City area. Research shows clearly that experiential, in-situ experiences help students make connections to academic learning, increases student awareness of our community, and helps to shrink the opportunity gap. These field trip plans will be widely shared to be accessed by educators in Salt Lake and beyond.
Department of Geology & Geophysics Outreach:
Dr. Marjorie A. Chan | marjorie.chan@utah.edu