Tag - Science Teacher

Mr. Luna’s Bright Idea Update

I’ve written about Kenny Luna, an 8th grade science teacher in North Babylon, New York, who wants Oprah to help him give every child in America (PreK-12) just one Compact Fluorescent(CFL) bulb in an effort to reduce electricity costs and lessen the impact on global warming. Kenny just sent me a follow-up with an interesting photo…

“… at the press conference i’m going to talk about how “we’ve asked oprah to stand up with us in the fight against global warming, and that the home depot already is standing up with us here today… is there anyone else who also cares about our childrens futures, and is willing to stand up with us?” We’re going to have all my students standing behind me, holding signs that spell out “HELP US OPRAH!!” That should help too:) “

The picture says it all…

Mr. Luna’s Bright Idea Follow-up

Kenny Luna has been very busy getting people excited about his bright idea. Mr. Luna is an 8th grade science teacher in North Babylon, New York, who wants Oprah to help him give every child in America (PreK-12), just one Compact Fluorescent(CFL) bulb to take home and plug into their favorite lamp. You’ve seen these bulbs at the hardware store”¦ those curly fluorescent bulbs that twist into a normal lamp socket. Bottom line – this action could save at least $2.3 billion in electricity costs.

Ken’s idea is spreading like a virus. I recently recorded a podcast with Ken so you can hear in his own words why he’s so passionate about his bright idea.

Listen to Mr. Luna’s podcast

Mad About Science Week – Wally Keesecker

Our week-long salute to amazing science teachers wraps up with a visit to Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado, where chemistry teacher Wally Keesecker gets students fired up about science. Wally is well-known for his attention-grabbing science demos that introduce students to real-world connections to everyday chemistry.

Video: The Steve Spangler Mad Scientist Tour finishes the week with a bang at Heritage High School. 6 a.m. October 7, 2005.
This is an especially fun visit for Steve since Wally Keesecker was his 8th grade science teacher in the Littleton Public Schools. “People like me make the decision to go into education after being inspired by an amazing teacher. While I didn’t exactly know that I would one day become a science teacher, I knew that I wanted to do something in education after experiencing someone as amazing as Wally Keesecker,” says Steve Spangler who is like a kid in a candy store whenever he pays a visit to his former science teacher.

Wally and his teaching colleagues dazzled us with two demonstrations centered around a Halloween theme. The first demo illustrated a chemical reaction that oozed from the eyes and mouth of a carved pumpkin. Because
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Rural Teacher Turned Rockstar!

Pam Bishop is an amazing elementary teacher from a rural town in Northwest Georgia. With 28 years of teaching under her belt, she’s at the “expert” stage of the education profession. We recently met up at a workshop in Atlanta and she shared this story…

>I am an elementary science lab teacher in Chatsworth, Georgia. For several years I approached my ever-changing county Superintendent with the request to let me start an elementary science lab. And, every year I was told that there was no funds available. So, I continued to find the time to teach science daily to my third graders. Then, in the spring of 2003 I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the Northwest Georgia Youth Science and Technology Teacher of the Year. With this recognition came a little $, plaque, and a luncheon. My new Curriculum Director, and new Superintendent was invited to attend. Again, I presented my request to start an elementary lab. No Funds! However, one of the gentlemen at the luncheon was on the board at a local college and overheard my request. He suggested that I come by and talk to the president of the college. Surprise! I received a call from
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