Teaching, Outreach & Mentoring
When it comes to teaching environmental science and engineering, I want to give my students a basic understanding and appreciation for the complex earth system that we live in, no matter what career direction they end up taking. I also want to give my students the practical knowledge to be socially responsible and go out and solve the problems that have been caused as a result of some human interactions with our water and soil resources. Thus my teaching philosophy centers around arming students with basic knowledge as well as the ability to apply this knowledge to real situations. I emphasize the need for critical thinking and problem-solving skills so that they can tackle challenges that they have not previously encountered- as our interactions with the environment constantly change as well as the technologies we have on hand to solve potential problems, this is essential. In general, I look to help my students become lifelong learners who are as enthusiastic as I am to understand our fascinating earth system and to figure out how to work towards a sustainable human-environment relationship.
Teaching
Instructor, Fluid Mechanics (PennState CE 360; Fall 2018)
Instructor, Urban Resilience Seminar (ASU; Spring, Fall 2017)
Project Consultant, Urban Design Studio (Cornell; Fall 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Water Resources Infrastructure Seminar (Cornell; Spring 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Urban Ecosystems (Cornell; Spring 2014)
Workshop Organizer, Science Video Workshop for Graduate Students (Cornell; Fall 2013)
Guest Lab Instructor, Water Measurement and Analysis Methods (Cornell BEE 4270; Fall 2013)
Guest Lecturer, Introduction to Groundwater (Cornell BEE 4710; Spring 2013)
Guest Lab Instructor & Lecturer, Watershed Engineering (Cornell BEE 4730; Fall 2011, 2012, 2013)
Teaching Assistant, Physical Hydrology for Ecosystems (Cornell BEE 3710; Spring 2011)
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Soil Science (Cornell CSS 260; Fall 2004)
Pedagogical Training
Semester-long course on Teaching in Higher Education (Fall 2013)
Cornell Center for Teaching Excellence Training Certificates
Innovative Approaches in Pedagogy
Enhancing Teaching with Technology
Teaching
Instructor, Fluid Mechanics (PennState CE 360; Fall 2018)
Instructor, Urban Resilience Seminar (ASU; Spring, Fall 2017)
Project Consultant, Urban Design Studio (Cornell; Fall 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Water Resources Infrastructure Seminar (Cornell; Spring 2014)
Guest Lecturer, Urban Ecosystems (Cornell; Spring 2014)
Workshop Organizer, Science Video Workshop for Graduate Students (Cornell; Fall 2013)
Guest Lab Instructor, Water Measurement and Analysis Methods (Cornell BEE 4270; Fall 2013)
Guest Lecturer, Introduction to Groundwater (Cornell BEE 4710; Spring 2013)
Guest Lab Instructor & Lecturer, Watershed Engineering (Cornell BEE 4730; Fall 2011, 2012, 2013)
Teaching Assistant, Physical Hydrology for Ecosystems (Cornell BEE 3710; Spring 2011)
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Soil Science (Cornell CSS 260; Fall 2004)
Pedagogical Training
Semester-long course on Teaching in Higher Education (Fall 2013)
Cornell Center for Teaching Excellence Training Certificates
Innovative Approaches in Pedagogy
Enhancing Teaching with Technology
Outreach and Mentoring
I was lucky to grow up with parents in the sciences that supported and encouraged my interests in that realm. Besides that though, I still had many other mentors-- great teachers, fellow grad students, professors, supervisors-- who have all played a part in helping me be the scientist that I am today. I really believe strongly in mentoring the younger generation of scientists, especially getting more women excited about STEM fields and helping them break down the intimidation surrounding these subjects.
Excited EYH Participant
"Expanding Your Horizons" Workshop @ Cornell
Each year this event is held on Cornell's campus, which brings in several hundred middle-school aged girls to learn about science and engineering, and get excited about these fields. Students and staff organize workshops that the girls participate in throughout the day. I designed the "Water Quality Detectives" workshop that was first offered in 2012 and which allows girls to explore how urbanization of watersheds can lead to increased flooding and water quality issues through hands-on experimentation. The workshop plan is currently featured on the program website as an example of a successful plan for students considering designing a new workshop.
Each year this event is held on Cornell's campus, which brings in several hundred middle-school aged girls to learn about science and engineering, and get excited about these fields. Students and staff organize workshops that the girls participate in throughout the day. I designed the "Water Quality Detectives" workshop that was first offered in 2012 and which allows girls to explore how urbanization of watersheds can lead to increased flooding and water quality issues through hands-on experimentation. The workshop plan is currently featured on the program website as an example of a successful plan for students considering designing a new workshop.
Mentoring undergraduate students
I supervise undergraduate environmental engineering & environmental science students on research projects during summer and in the academic year. See a list of students below and check out my research page for more information on projects these students have worked on.
Shannon Newell, B.S. (2017) Northern Arizona U., Project: Stormwater retention and heat mitigation in vacant lots in Phoenix
Dave Nardelli, B.S. (2017) Paul Smith's College, Project: Characterizing contributing area and discharge at stormwater outfalls to Salt River in Phoenix
Liza Johnson, B.S. (2015) Cornell U., Project: Nutrient cycling in green stormwater infrastructure on Cornell campus
Brandon Roosenboom, B.S. (2014) UC Davis, Project: Water quality & greenhouse gases in road ditches in central NY
Peri Gerson, B.S. (2014) Cornell U., Project: Water quality & greenhouse gases in road ditches in central NY
Breann Liebermann, B.S., M.Eng. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Using citizen science in stream gaging
Caitlin Rose McKinley, B.S. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Groundwater methane patterns in Tompkins Co. NY
Christine Georgakakos, B.S. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Testing a novel camera stream gage
Helen Bergstrom, B.S. (2012), Brown U., Project: Using potentiostats to examine Fe-N dynamics in soils
Rachel Whiteheart, B.S. (2012), Cornell U., Project: Greenhouse gas emissions from stormwater basins
Anne Elise Creamer, B.S. (2011-13), Cornell U., Project: Baseline groundwater methane patterns in central NY
Andrea Fortman , B.S. (2012-13) Cornell U., Project: Water quality in stormwater basins on Cornell campus
I supervise undergraduate environmental engineering & environmental science students on research projects during summer and in the academic year. See a list of students below and check out my research page for more information on projects these students have worked on.
Shannon Newell, B.S. (2017) Northern Arizona U., Project: Stormwater retention and heat mitigation in vacant lots in Phoenix
Dave Nardelli, B.S. (2017) Paul Smith's College, Project: Characterizing contributing area and discharge at stormwater outfalls to Salt River in Phoenix
Liza Johnson, B.S. (2015) Cornell U., Project: Nutrient cycling in green stormwater infrastructure on Cornell campus
Brandon Roosenboom, B.S. (2014) UC Davis, Project: Water quality & greenhouse gases in road ditches in central NY
Peri Gerson, B.S. (2014) Cornell U., Project: Water quality & greenhouse gases in road ditches in central NY
Breann Liebermann, B.S., M.Eng. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Using citizen science in stream gaging
Caitlin Rose McKinley, B.S. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Groundwater methane patterns in Tompkins Co. NY
Christine Georgakakos, B.S. (2013-14), Cornell U., Project: Testing a novel camera stream gage
Helen Bergstrom, B.S. (2012), Brown U., Project: Using potentiostats to examine Fe-N dynamics in soils
Rachel Whiteheart, B.S. (2012), Cornell U., Project: Greenhouse gas emissions from stormwater basins
Anne Elise Creamer, B.S. (2011-13), Cornell U., Project: Baseline groundwater methane patterns in central NY
Andrea Fortman , B.S. (2012-13) Cornell U., Project: Water quality in stormwater basins on Cornell campus
