I worry about students using AI to complete assignments rather than struggling and learning and improving their own skills.
What’s your go-to fun fact about yourself?
I make crazy Halloween decorations
Briefly describe your job… what do you really do at EL?
I design science Gizmos and write curriculum for Gizmos and Investigations
What do you like about working at EL?
Being creative and working with wonderful people
What's the most seriously fun thing you've ever done?
Moonlit night skiing in New Hampshire
Tell us about the most influential teacher you ever had? Who inspired you and how?
My most influential teacher was Mr. Rubinfeld, who taught Earth Science and was also my cross-country ski coach at Oxbow High School in Vermont. He had an infectious enthusiasm about the outdoors and took us on so many adventures—as part of a public high-school class we climbed Mount Washington, canoed the Connecticut River, and went rock climbing.
What big STEM accomplishment do you think we’ll see happen in the next 100 years, and why are you excited about it?
Hopefully 100% conversion to sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, and ocean waves.
Artificial intelligence… friend or foe?
I regard AI with a lot of wariness. At a time when we are experiencing frightening impacts from climate change, AI companies are pouring enormous amounts of energy (and drinking water) into supercomputers. I’m worried about the economic and social impacts of AI replacing jobs, especially as my own kids are entering the workforce. I don’t love that AI is already “deskilling” us by removing the incentive to learn how to write, code, drive, create art, or learn other languages. I worry about students using AI to complete assignments rather than struggling and learning and improving their own skills. I’ve also seen enough movies to be worried about what happens when AI goes rogue. I realize there are some potential benefits to AI, but for me the bad far outweighs the good.
This or That… Please respond to all the choices below.
Astronomy or oceanography? Both (I just love them both!)
Time travel or Teleportation?
Learn a language or learn how to code?
Lecture or Lab?
Playlists or podcasts?
Discover a new planet or a new animal species?
Take a class taught by Einstein or Marie Curie?
Solo projects in school or group work?
Book fair or science fair?
Who's next?