GeoTech

"Pushing & Letting Go: The Dance of Sport Performance," and "Western Landscapes: “The Devil is In the Detail"." With degrees in Astronomy, Mathematics and Psychology and influences of Picasso, De Vinci, Edison, Ansel Adams, Ghandi, and Einstein, one must not be surprised at the amazingly diverse impact of Dr. Fenker. Author of over 500 articles and seven books, his expertise spans from photography to sports psychology, from business site analysis to artificial intelligence. Since 1972, he spent a large part of his career as a TCU – Texas Christian University professor. Dr. Richard Fenker was one of the country’s first sports psychologists, his special area of expertise is the study of peak performance states. From 1972 through 1998 he has taught over 10,000 amateur and and professional athletes, musicians and others how to enjoy and improve sport performance. Dr. Fenker was a member of the United States International Olympics Gymnastics Team (as Sport Psychologist and Science Director) from 1986 – 1992 and he was the 2nd Sport Psychologist to serve in residence at the United States Olympic Training Center/Colorado Springs,CO. He has also offered a series of workshops in connection with the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Dr. Rachel Moreno presented three amazing sessions. "Teaching Languages, From Memory to Fluency," "Engaging Latinos and Other Cultures in Classes Across Campus," and "Tapping Student Motivations in Classrooms Today."

Rachel Moreno has amassed a number of in-depth professional experiences which include secondary school teaching, junior college and university teaching, specialized training, and advanced formal education. In each of these capacities, Rachel has built a strong rapport with students, both individually and in groups, working with them to enhance every aspect of their education and lives; encourage development of character as well as intellect. Fluent in English and Spanish, Rachel works well with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. She has been nationally recognized as Teacher of the Year for creativity and innovation in problem resolution.

Amy Work wins the prize for coming the farthest or at least coming from a different country... Costa Rica! Her presentation was entitled "Online Maps Tell Awesome Stores from Any Device." These participants became enamored with online maps and the stories they tell. Thank you Amy for being willing to travel so far and to share your delightful teaching style.

Amy Work serves as the first GEOPORTers educational outreach director, with her placement in Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. As an education coordinator for IAGT in Auburn, NY she works with K-12 teachers and college faculty members across in New York and the country integrating geospatial technologies into learning environments. Through travels to India examining carbon sequestration projects with rural farmers, out to sea on the JOIDES Resolution to explore ocean drilling science and leading a group of college students to Panama to investigate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, she is thrilled about the opportunity to live in and work with youth, educators, and community residents in Bahia Ballena using geospatial technologies!

Thanks to Kristin Hokanson who traveled to GeoTech to share her expertise and presentation entitled "copyright Clarity." She had a rapt audience and a full house. Thanks again Kristin!

Kristin Hokanson spent 20 years in public education as a teacher and was deeply involved with Pennsylvania’s Classrooms for the Future Initiative as a technology integration specialist in a suburban high school. She has worked with students and teachers K-12 helping them to leverage web-based tools and emerging technologies to increase rigor and student engagement. Kristin is part of the Discovery Education Professional Development team among others. Her specialty is training educators across the country on best practices in technology integration, especially in the areas of constructivist teaching practices in science, project based learning, and media literacy.

As Affiliated Faculty with Media Education Lab at the University of Rhode Island one of Kristin goals is to help teachers to develop a greater understanding of media literacy and digital responsibility with regards to Copyright and Fair Use. One of the things Kristin is most passionate about is helping teachers find ways to harness 21st Century tools to create more independent thoughtful and creative learners. In the area of math and science, Kristin recently facilitated a series of workshops helping teachers in Maryland utilize STEM principals in math and science for Project based learning.

Kristin holds a BS in Education from University of Delaware and M.Ed from Cabrini College with a focus on literacy. She holds a certificate as an Instructional Technology Specialist she received through Penn State World Campus. In addition, Kristin holds a K-12 Principal certificate from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Bob Coulter presented "Mapping Your Community" on Thursday. So 'How has your community changed over time?' Participants in this session learned to us basic mapping tools to investigate their community, and discover what makes their communities interesting and unique. Bob is a one of a kind presenter and he had a captive audience!

As director, Bob works to provide administrative and strategic leadership for the Litzsinger Road Ecology Center. He is also the principal investigator and project director for two National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research projects. Both of these leverage students’ interest in technology and service learning to build commitment to the local environment. A new strand of work is exploring the value of students designing their own computer games as a tool for understanding science. Prior to joining the Missouri Botanical Garden, he was an award-winning elementary grade science and mathematics teacher in public and private schools. His e-mail address is [email protected].

Gary Lewis and Davida Buehler worked all day long on Thursday at GeoTech "Exploring Earthquakes with the Geological Society of America" and "Teaching Geologic Time." The room was full all day and the teachers couldn't get enough of the theory AND hands-on activities these skilled past classroom educators shared. Thanks GSA for enabling these dynamic presenters to travel to Texas to impart their vast geologic knowledge and experience!

Gary Lewis is the Senior Director of Education and Outreach at the Geological Society of AmericaSociety of America. Previously, Gary worked for the Australian Geological Survey and has created numerous geology resources for teachers to use in their classrooms. He has a gift for giving interesting and entertaining presentations!

Stace Maples presented "Analysis in GIS" and Spatial and 3D Analysis in ArcGIS" at GeoTech today. Much excitement on his two presentations. How thankful we are he agreed to travel to GeoTech 2013 to share his vast knowledge in a very engaging and interactive way.

Stacy is the GIS Assistant at The Yale Map Collection at Yale University, and is the primary contact for all issues related to the use of ArcGIS and for GIS support, in general. Expert Generalist in the application of Geospatial Technology in all application areas. Has often been referred to as the Ivy League Geospatial Swiss Army Knife. Maples graduated from UTD in Richardson. Specialties: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Design, GIS Support, GIS Education, Field Data Survey Design, Archaeology, Geophysical Survey Design and Implementation for Archaeology, Data Models, ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server, ArcSDE for SQL Server, ArcPad.

The first day of GeoTech has started. , Stacey, Amy and Barbaree has kicked off the morning with Davida Buehler/ Geological Society of America with hands-on Earth Science workshop, Stacey Maples/ Yale University Map Collection on advanced analysis using Esri ArcGIS, and Amy Work/ GEOPORTers and Barbaree Duke/ GISetc teaching introductory hands-on session using Esri's ArcGIS Online platform. Boy is it hot in those rooms...all that brain power is creating a lot of heat! It's not too late to come to GeoTech!!

and 5th grade students use old stone tools

Geoman visiting 5th grade students on the National Geographic Traveling Map of Asia

Have you visited our expanded GeoTech Site on this page? Like us & look to the bar under our header pic. Click on "GeoTech Site" (next to the map) to enter. We have FILLED it with everything you need to know about GeoTech 2013!!! Speakers, schedules, registration, sponsors, exhibitors & links GALORE!

GeoTech Three days of hands on learning for teachers. This year's theme is Asia, Mapping Ghengis Khan & Expl