Where are you from?

Utah, USA

Can you share with us a bit about your background?

I am an interdisciplinary earth scientist and professional educator. My background in science emphasizes hydrology (water), geology (rocks) and pedology (soils). After several years working as a scientist, I discovered a passion for science communication, I went back to school and got a masters degree in education.

What is your current job?

I am an Instructional Design Faculty at Western Governor’s University where I get to help develop new STEM classes and courses.

What is your role at CAP?

I am the Aviation Weather Mission Director. I also serve as the Rocky Mountain Region Deputy Chief of Staff for Aerospace Education (aka the lead AE volunteer for the part of the United States where I live).

What interested you about the Aviation Weather Mission?

As the mission director I loved seeing the interactive design process in action. This mission had four observation dates where volunteers across the continental United States and Puerto Rico worked together to collect a unified data set. We learned something new, each and every observation date, and we were able to work with the members in the field and the scientists in the lab to keep improving the processes we used to collect data.

What was your favorite part about the collaboration between CAP and NASA?

I love how the collaboration between Civil Air Patrol and NASA tapped the strengths of both organizations. NASA is a government agency that has always excelled at asking big questions and pushing the limits of human understanding. Civil Air Patrol is an organization that excels as teamwork and problem solving. By collaborating together, both organizations were able to find new ways to harness the capabilities of the GLOBE Observer App in new ways and allow thousands of volunteers to contribute to something so much bigger than ourselves.

Anything else you would like to share with the GLOBE community?

Science is not static. There are still so many discoveries to be made about our planet and the universe as a whole. By participating in GLOBE you are helping humanity unlock some of those discoveries. I know that helps keep me motivated to contribute readings, and I hope that it also inspires you to continue to be citizen scientists!