The goal of the Frontier Scientist web site and of the materials created for distribution here, web-wide and for TV broadcast, is to excite the general public about ongoing science in Alaska and the Arctic. Science understanding for all includes research in many different studies including: Humanities, Geology, Biology, Marine Biology, Archaeology, Ecology, Chemistry and more.
The scientists of Frontier Scientist are guiding the educators, who are helping to translate the information to you.
Here are the Educators:
Elizabeth O’Connell is Frontier Scientists’ project director. She has over 30 years experience in broadcast media, with an avid interest in new media. The company WonderVisions spearheading this concept has primarily worked in the arctic and with scientists or naturalists.
Hobbies include: birding, telephone pictionary, running downhill and in water, exploring the trails
Academic interests include: a curiosity about everything
Deborah Perry is director of Selinda Research Associates, located in Chicago and will provide evaluation, research, and consultation services for Frontier Scientists. Deborah will build on her background and experience in informal science settings by reporting findings so that they can be applied to the ongoing development of the project. She has a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology.
Hobbies include: international folk dancing, backpacking, and dog agility
Academic interests include: exploring the role of intrinsic motivation in informal learning, focusing on the question “What makes learning fun?”
Merry Ann is principal of Moore Creative, a strategic communications firm. She has 25 years’ experience helping corporations, government, small businesses and non-profits communicate in ways that motivate, educate and inspire their audiences.
Hobbies include: horses, hiking, camping, cycling, the Sunday crossword and walking the dogs
Interests include: environmental conservation, education reform, English Premier League and international soccer
Laura is a recent college graduate, newly returned from study and travel in China. She is an activist who hopes to promote lifelong learning and see positive change implemented through non-profit organizations and other forms of societal education. She looks forward to bringing a layman’s perspective to Frontier Scientists’ projects while using technology to improve communication and distribution of information.
Hobbies include: reading, swimming, photography, travel, storytelling and music
Kent Miller is an assistant professor of photojournalism and new media in the Department of Journalism at Central Michigan University. Miller’s photography has been published in international, national and regional online and print publications. He has won numerous awards including honorable mention.
Miller has been a photojournalist since 1988. He worked as a staff photographer for the Flint Journal for eight years, a staff photographer for The Bloomington Herald-Times for two years, and a photo editor for the Bay City Times for eight years. Miller travels to Alaska yearly to make photographs for the National Park Service. He has arranged agreements for photo/new media interns to work in Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park. The agreements enable his students to get hands on experience working with the media specialist at each park.
Miller holds a master’s degree in communication and multimedia from Saginaw Valley State University. His web site is: http://www.kentmiller.com.