You Can’t Keep Hayley Usedom Away from the Water

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You Can’t Keep Hayley Usedom Away from the Water

December 2014     

For this month’s spotlight, we’re introducing a community member that we admire for their innovations in science education. Hayley Usedom fell in love with marine science at young age. Whenever she would visit family in Salinas, they would head out to tide pools. “I would always be playing outdoors in the mud and water; I would come home so filthy. It was great!”

Hayley’s interest in marine science persisted in college while studying the human impact on sea anemones. “I was always in the water whenever there was a low tide.” Hayley has come full circle with her love of science. When she was in 5th grade at Westwood Elementary in Concord, she went on a boat program in the delta and loved the experience. When she applied to work at Marine Science Institute she mentioned the experience as an important one from her childhood.  Turns out that the boat she went on was the one that MSI took over as part of their program. Now the Education Coordinator at Marine Science Institute, Hayley uses her knowledge and enthusiasm to educate and inspire students. MSI runs innovative marine science programs that develop student confidence while instilling a sense of responsibility for the natural environment. MSI facilitates active learning through the use of observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a cooperative setting, and places students of all ages in direct contact with the natural environment

Hayley’s favorite teaching experience has been working with 6th graders on the Watershed program. “I get to see their transformation from beginning to the end on their views on science, watersheds, nature, and just being outdoors.” Perhaps Usedom’s long term learning mindset contributes to the transformation she facilitates. “Everyone, including myself, can always learn so much from science.”

The Marine Science Institute offers a variety of programs on land or on the research vessel Robert G Brownlee.  Check out their website for more details. http://sfbaymsi.org/school.html

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Community Resources for Science
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Berkeley, CA 94702

 

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The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

 

Our goal is simple: help teachers give students more opportunities to “do science” – to ask questions, test ideas, get their hands on real science activities. We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, problem solvers, and leaders!