PB&J

My name is Marisa and I’m an educator. Mostly I like to teach about science, biology, plants, and animals. I have been an Urban Park Ranger for the past 4 years here in New York City. I have had the pleasure of working in Brooklyn and Queens in places such as the Salt Marsh Nature Center and the Rockaway Beach Endangered Species Nesting Area.

The past couple of weeks has been a whirlwind of change for me. I found out that I will be joining the Clinically Rich Integrated Science Program at NYU. This program is a great opportunity for me to earn my M.A. in Education and become a certified secondary science teacher. Let’s just say the program is intense. I’m currently part of a summer science enrichment program at a middle school in Brooklyn. I am also still working 3 days a week as a Park Ranger in Queens.

Pretty soon I’m going to hang up my campaign hat for the year and go on a leave of absence. It’s a bittersweet moment for me. I love being a ranger. I love being outdoors. My favorite part is teaching people about nature. There’s a really amazing feeling associated with sharing your knowledge with others. I’ve done a fair share of classroom teaching as a park ranger, and I’ve seen what outdoor education can do for students (of all ages).

Let’s face it, science can be scary! But most kids are curious and just need a little encouragement. That’s where I come in. Bill Nye once told me (and a couple thousand other people) the secret to scientific discovery. He calls it the “P, B, & J of science: the Passion, Beauty, and Joy.” as long as we can being the P,B&J into the classroom, science education can be fun, engaging, and exciting. My goal is to expose young people to the fantastic world of science through hands-on experiences with real-life applications. Science is not abstract, as long as we can recognize it in our everyday lives.

Peace, Love, & Discovery,
Marisa