We strongly believe that in order to create the most accurate and appropriate educational materials, we need to keep the scientists AND teachers involved in the ENTIRE process.

To facilitate module development and leverage its resources for this project, SCEC brought together teachers and education experts, each with backgrounds in science and professional experience with teaching science at middle school, high school, or community college levels. They were selected not only for individual expertise but also because they emphasize the use of new technologies in their classrooms. Because these teachers have been so enthusiastic about the outcome and potential products, they have already volunteered hundreds of person-hours to help with the Standards alignment, developing storylines, and testing the education materials and linked activities.

Several times over the year, this group has been called upon for assistance and feedback - with amazing results. The nominees were quite instrumental at the planning meeting for the proposed California Earthquake Research Center, a proposed continuation of and expansion upon SCEC Research and Outreach.

The Team Members are listed below. You can email them by clicking on their name.

Meridith Osterfeld has taught at most levels of K-12. She is a Regional Director for the California K-12 Alliance for Math and Science (CAMS). Her expertise is in K-12 Education. She co-chairs the DESC On-line Advisory Team. Her undergraduate degree is in Liberal Studies (Math / Science) from San Diego State University and her post-graduate work in science, math, and professional development has been conducted at UC Irvine. She is a 1990-91 Member of the Macmillan/ McGraw-Hill California Science Advisory Board and a 1992-95 Founder and President of "South Orange County Educational Partnership."

Ursula Sexton, San Ramon Unified Schools: Elementary Science Teacher; Science Specialist; and Educational Consultant. Ursula is the 1997-98 NSTA science teacher of the year and the first elementary teacher to win this prestigious honor. She is also California State's Teacher of the Year, is part of the California Systemic Initiative Assessment Collaborative and is a California State Implementation Network (CSIN) and K-12 Alliance Staff Developer. She uses the Internet daily and is extremely competent with new technologies applied in the classroom. Her expertise is in Assessment & Curriculum Alignment/Development and she has worked with several NSF programs that are developing performance assessments. She is bilingual (Spanish) and frequently translates curriculum for developers.

Phil Lafontaine is a Regional Director for the California K-12 Alliance, has an education background in earth science, and is a high school science teacher. His expertise is in curriculum development.

Cory Wisnia is a middle school science teacher and a board member of Schools for Curriculum Online Resources / Education (SCORE). With this affiliation, SCEC has a direct connection with teachers nationwide who use on-line curricula. Wisnia's expertise is in math, science, and technology curriculum development.

Myles Loveall is an earth science teacher at La Canada High School and a director of that school district's Seismology Institute. His expertise is in earth science and the use of hands-on experiences in his accelerated classes for 9th, 11th, and 12th grade science students.

Steve Mull is a teacher trainer with the K-12 Alliance, a grade school teacher at Lakeside Farms School, and a high school teacher at Charter High School in Lakeside. Steve teaches teacher preparation in science and social science at National University and is a cadre member (content specialist) for the K-12 Alliance. He has placed his National University classes on the Web and serves as a teacher mentor for the Alliance.

Cindy Anderson is a high school teacher at Mission Meadows School and a part-time Regional Director at the K-12 Alliance. Her undergraduate degree is in Education with emphasis in Math, Science, and Technology; and she has a supplemental credential in Science. She teaches 3rd grade at Mission Meadows Elementary in Vista but has also taught grades K-10. She is a K-12 Staff Developer in science and district mentor in Math, Science, Technology and GATE. She was formerly a science specialist at the Casita Center for Math Science and Technology (Magnet school). She now teams with Meridith Osterfeld as a Regional Director in San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties.

Don Whisman is an 8th grade Integrated Science teacher who has been teaching at Tierra del Sol Middle School in Lakeside, California for 19 years. He has taught elementary school, high school, and postgraduate as well. His expertise is in developing Statewide middle grades performance assessments for California Systemic Initiatives Assessment Collaborative (CSIAC), an NSF program which includes California, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Puerto Rico, and Arizona. Don graduated from USC with a BS in Biology. He is a district mentor in science and a K-12 Alliance staff developer, cadre member assistant Regional Director.

Besides the opportunity to interact and brainstorm with the leading scientists doing earthquake research, this group of individuals is given:

* Honoraria for their "homework": translating the materials
* Travel reibursements for each SCEC workshop they attend
* A free subscription to the SCEC Quarterly Newsletter
* The opportunity to publish in the SCEC Quarterly (see Sara Tekula's column "A Teachable Moment")
* Financial assistance to attend the SCEC Annual Meeting
* Complimentary SCEC Education Materials as they become available

For more information about the DESC On-line Advisory Group, or if you'd like to contribute, please send an email to Jill Andews (jandrews@terra.usc.edu).