PolarConnect Event with teacher DJ Kast and researchers Drs. Byron Crump and George Kling with the Microbial Changes in Arctic Freshwater 2016 project. This event was live from Toolik Field Station in Alaska.
Dieuwertje Kast, a previous Grand Awards Judge for Intel ISEF, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the science sector. Dieuwertje strongly believes in encouraging young people in STEM and providing opportunities for low-income and underrepresented students. As for advice for those interested in science, Dieuwertje said to be your authentic self and follow your passions. And
Research Connection highlighted Dieuwertje Kast as a STEM Educator and how she is including current research in her classrooms.
Quote for the Article:
"I love being the STEM translator for researchers," she told us in an interview. "I love seeing what current researchers are working on so that I can bring that into my k-12 classrooms as lessons and inspirations
Dieuwertje Kast was mentioned in the Champion Newspapers of Chino Valley. Her quote mentioned PolarTREC. Her quote was "Dieuwertje Kast of Chino was included by Forbes Magazine in its “30 under 30” listing, representing the field of science. Her work at the University of Southern California JEP (Joint Educational Project) includes STEM education outreach and curriculum development with schools K-12
Dieuwertje Kast was nominated for the Forbes 30 under 30 in Science honor and the La Canada Outlook profiled the award and included a 2 paragraph description of her PolarTREC Expedition to the Arctic.
The paragraph included the following quote: Kast is an eager traveler who this summer will join an expedition to the Arctic with the PolarTREC program. In
Dieuwertje Kast's article about her upcoming PolarTREC expedition (Microbial Changes in Arctic Freshwater 2016) was posted USC Rossier (School of Education's) online news pages.
Models are great to use to make a concept easier to understand, to visualize a process or outcome, and also to allow a scientist to test selected variables. IMOLD is a great model of leaf decomposition, because it allows the students to interact with two variables affecting decomposition rates, and test those variables in many more ways than they could
This lesson describes how decomposition happens, and the role of microorganisms in this process. The animation, which runs for 3:23 minutes total time, covers information that students may or may not be familiar with. Here is one suggestion for working your students through the animation. By actively taking notes during the animations, students can engage in a dialogue with the