Meet the NEON Chief of Education

December 8. 2008

MEET THE NEON CHIEF OF EDUCATION

Dr. Wendy K. Gram, Head of Education at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History at the University of Oklahoma, has been named Chief of Education of the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).

During her nine-year tenure at the Sam Noble Museum, Dr. Gram coordinated daily activities of the Education Department as well as special programs, including an innovative K-12 science teacher professional development initiative and a biodiversity field program for Oklahoma youth. She was also instrumental in securing funding for the museum from foundations and state and federal agencies.

“I am excited about the many opportunities and challenges associated with the Chief of Education position,” said Gram. “NEON Education can serve as a vital link between scientific discovery and a scientifically literate community, with educators translating scientific findings for use by the general public.”

Dr. Gram’s education and experience have prepared her well to lead a NEON national science education initiative that depends on partnerships among scientists, educators, and communities. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology (Ecology and Evolution) from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and has served as an Assistant Professor (adjunct) at the Zoology Department, University of Oklahoma, since 2000. For more than 20 years she has promoted scientific literacy with diverse audiences and been an advocate for science education and informal learning opportunities.

“As an educator, I thrive on the constant challenge of exploring ways to communicate ideas and processes to new audiences. As a scientist, I actively participate in the process of scientific discovery,” said Gram.

The incoming Chief of Education provides the leadership to establish a “tandem deployment” of NEON science and education. Dr. Gram inherits an Education and Outreach Strategic Plan developed by a team of education colleagues as a guiding document to begin the synthesis of NEON ecology research and education.

“Our goal at NEON is to ensure that these essential, co-equal ingredients of education and science are seamlessly integrated even before we begin to collect data,” said NEON CEO/PI Dr. David Schimel. “Wendy Gram brings an extraordinary mix of skills, vision, and experience to this important task. I am delighted to welcome her to the NEON team.”

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