2009 - 10 GK12 Fellows
Briana Brown (bkbrown@bu.edu)
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Headmaster: Nicole Bahnam
Teacher: Sarah Page
Briana Brown is a fourth year graduate student in the Ecology, Behavior & Evolution Program of the Biology Department. Before returning to graduate school she worked as an informal educator, teaching students in grades pre-K-adult about marine ecology and environmental science, with most of her time spent in Providence public schools. Now Briana is conducting research on the effects of fishing on demersal fish communities of the Gulf of Maine. She is working with Sarah Page at the Boston Community Leadership Academy in Brighton, primarily with the A.P. Biology class and one of the introductory biology classes. Her goal is to help the students make connections between what they are learning in biology and their own every day lives. All through the school year Briana will be inviting scientists from BU and other local research institutes to speak to the students about their research and how it relates to topics they are studying in class. Coming soon-Briana's Curriculum Activites.
Eva Cornell (evac@bu.edu)
English High School
Headmaster: Dr. Sito Narcisse
Teacher: Yana Davis
Eva Cornell is from Minneapolis, MN and she is a second year graduate student in the Physics program. As a graduate student, she works in the Optical Characerization and Nanophononics Laboratory doing research on subcellular imaging of fluorescent markers using a 4Pi confocal microscope. She also works with Yana Davis at English High School (the oldest high school in the US) in Jamaica Plain. At English, she assists in teaching the ninth grade Active Physics classes by giving individual help to the students during classroom activities, bringing in science demonstrations from Boston University, and working with students on science fair projects. Click here for Eva's Curriculum Activities.
Casey Olson (olsonjc@bu.edu)
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Headmaster: Nicole Bahnam
Teacher: Arielle Saavedra
Casey Olson is a 3rd year PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering. Before coming to Boston University he graduated and worked in Mechanical Engineering in Seattle, Washington. He is performing his thesis research between Boston University and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center studying respiratory function in a pediatric disease known as Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome. The results of this work may aid in planning treatment for this disease.
Casey is working with Ms. Arielle Saavedras Freshman Biology and Sophomore Chemistry classes at Boston Community Leadership Academy in Brighton. He participates by attending to the needs of small groups of students and is interested in developing student activities covering the topics of Physiology and Genetics. Coming soon - Casey's Curriculum Activities.
Lauren Plavisch (plavisch@bu.edu)
English High School
Headmaster: Dr. Sito Narcisse
Teacher: Bristol Konjoian
Lauren Plavisch is a second year graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering conducting research in fuel cell performance and components. She is working with Bristol Konjoian at English High (the oldest high school in the U.S.), where she assists in teaching 9th grade Active Physics classes. Lauren supplements the curriculum with physics demonstrations, assists with worksheets that enhance math and critical thinking skills, mentors students completing science fair projects, and manages a bulletin board and a question box where students can submit answers to a weekly physics challenge. Lauren really enjoys being able to connect with students and to encourage their curiosity in everyday experiences and how they can be explained with physics. Click here for Lauren's Curriculum Activities.