BackgroundMy name is Beth Kostka. I am a proud "Cheesehead" (originally from Wisconsin) who relocated to the South over two decades ago. I am a scientist by training with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Syracuse University, plus a Master's of Arts in Teaching and a Master’s of Environmental Science from Florida State University (FSU) Oceanography Department. During my early career I worked as a laboratory scientist, a field scientist and an educator. As a result, I have a strong understanding of the practices of scientists and the careers they hold in today’s society.
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One of the pivotal experiences of my life came while living in Germany as a young professional. While there I struggled to learn a new language, conduct new scientific laboratory experiments, and interact in an unfamiliar culture. To alleviate work stress, I volunteered to teach English to school children. It was this experience that started me on the path to teaching. |
Teacher-Researcher Experience: After receiving my Master's Degree at FSU, I was hired as an education research faculty member at Florida State University in the Office of Science Teaching. Specifically, I was the Director of Sea-to-See (an elementary school science outreach program) and instructor for its sister middle school program. Not only did I teach and run a program, but we conducted research (and published) on best inquiry practices for science teaching (click here for publications).
When my family moved to Atlanta, I relocated and worked again as a teacher-researcher and curriculum writer for the Center for Education Integrating Science Mathematics and Computing at Georgia Tech (CEISMC- Georgia Institute of Technology). My research focus there was on integrating engineering design with science and student literacy through the practice of argument from evidence. My interest and research in these areas continues today. Click here to learn more about the science education research I am currently involved with.
When my family moved to Atlanta, I relocated and worked again as a teacher-researcher and curriculum writer for the Center for Education Integrating Science Mathematics and Computing at Georgia Tech (CEISMC- Georgia Institute of Technology). My research focus there was on integrating engineering design with science and student literacy through the practice of argument from evidence. My interest and research in these areas continues today. Click here to learn more about the science education research I am currently involved with.
Research Experience: NOAA, U.S. National Park Service, FSU, SKIO, UWM,
From 1992-1998 I worked as Field Researcher and Lab technician researching water chemistry plus marine and freshwater plankton ecology of freshwater ponds, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico water columns. This included planning and implementation of fieldwork, oceanographic shipwork, and laboratory investigations with data analysis and scientific publication writing.
From 1992-1998 I worked as Field Researcher and Lab technician researching water chemistry plus marine and freshwater plankton ecology of freshwater ponds, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico water columns. This included planning and implementation of fieldwork, oceanographic shipwork, and laboratory investigations with data analysis and scientific publication writing.
In the Classroom: Once moving to Atlanta I worked full-time as a science teacher at Lilburn Middle School, The Weber School, and currently at Carl G. Renfroe Middle School.
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