Other than my scientific interests I enjoy

getting outside where there is actually some sunlight. I try to go hiking and camping when I can.  I look forward to the winter and hitting the slopes with my snowboard, while attempting to not break any bones (grad student healthcare isn’t the best).  I also like playing soccer, ultimate, racquetball, squash, pool, and Settlers of Catan.

Besides physical activities, I try to do some writing (children’s books, scripts, etc...), painting, and electronic music production.  The painting leaves much to be desired, but the music is coming along.  I have an illustrated educational children’s book put together about a boy’s obsessive nose picking habit and some of the science behind germs. Now I am just searching for publishers.  Any takers?

Developing methods to spark the interest of students at the undergraduate level down to preschool is important if we hope to maintain a high level of scientific expertise nationally and globally.  Both of these issues may find relief through the use of more hands-on learning techniques when presenting scientific phenomena.  Allowing students to have a more physical experience with science enables one to create a more solid understanding for abstract ideas.  In addition, allowing students to develop their own questions about a system and devise methods for answering those questions raises student interest in science while giving a sense of control over their educational direction.  Inquiry based and hands-on learning methods, such as those popularized at San Francisco's Exploratorium, have been developed and used for some time, but remain underutilized. I have been attempting to disseminate these types of teaching methods to other students and teachers alike.

On a more global scale, I have interests in alternative energy issues and raising the amount of discussion taking place in this regard. I think one forum that is proving useful, is that of online blogging and discussion groups, although these discussions do not really connect with the general public at large. I am interested in changing this and hope to see more actions following discussion.