Meredith Lynn DavisMeredith Lynn Davis
Home Town--Manteca, California
School--Stella Brockman
Grades Taught--7th and 8th Grades
Subjects Taught--General and Environmental Science
Years Taught--29 Years
Institutes Attended
S.U.P.E.R. at Sandia Laboritories, Livermore, CA
Chemical Reactions Institute, NSTA, Greeley, CO
Energy Transfer Institute, NSTA, Madison, WI
Teacher Research Update Experience, NSF and UF, Gainesville, FL
Memberships
National Science Teachers Association
California Science Teachers Association
California Teachers Association
The True Program
It has been my privilege to attend the TRUE program for two years. Last year I worked with the USDA studying the citrus rootstock weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus. Dr. Richard Mankin was testing the feasibility of acoustic detection of the Diaprepes during its destructive larval stage. I discovered upon my return this year that Dr. Mankin received a grant to continue the study under field conditions and so far, the research data looks very encouraging.
This year my lab assignment has been with Dr. Charlotte Porter at the Museum of Natural History. My first task was to refresh my background on the early exploration of the New World. The books I read included First Encounters, edited by S. Milbrath and J.T. Milanich, Seeds of Change, edited by Margolis, and New History of Florida, edited by Gannon. Each of these works gave different perspectives, historical, artistic, and anthropological, on the encounter of the Old World with the New. We then compared these approaches with a view to the reorganization of one of the museum's publications, making it more user-friendly for teachers. My work at the museum , being very different than the usual lab experience, has been exciting and thought-provoking. It has reminded me that no area of study exists in isolation and that, as a teacher, I have an obligation to my students to show the interconnectedness of all knowledge and human endeavor.
The TRUE program consists of much more than our lab experience. We also have sharing sessions twice weekly in which participants demonstrate their "best" activities and labs. What a treasure trove these sessions have proven to be. My junior high curriculum has already been enriched with materials I received last year. All TRUE participants also attend a morning lecture series in which we become acquainted with some of the current research being done at the University of Florida. A few of my personal favorites to date have been Dr. John Graham-Pole's presentation Art and Science: What is the connection? in which he discussed the importance of the creative process in science and Dr. Karen A. Holbrook's presentation Diagnosing Genetic Skin Disease and The Unborn Human Fetus in which she discussed current knowledge of these diseases, methods of early detection, and the possibilities of future cures. The TRUE participants also attended special presentations such as Physics is Fun and Chemistry Magic Show, and go on field trips to such places as the Lubee Foundation for a tour of their exotic bats.
My participation in the TRUE program has been a high point in my teaching career. It has added immeasurably to my personal knowledge, my profession expertise, and my network of dedicated colleagues from around the country. I stongly urge any interested math, science, or technology teacher to apply for this program. You will be amply rewarded.