Brian Cowan
Brian Cowan is a graduate of the University of West Georgia with a B.S. in Geology. He is working on his Masters in Hydrogeology at the University of Texas at Austin. His research interests include fluctuations in cave air CO2 levels, contaminant transport in groundwater and understanding how changing climatic conditions affects the natural chemical and isotopic composition of groundwater in karst aquifers. Brian believes that all children are naturally curious about their surroundings and hopes to use the students curiosity to spark their interest in the natural environment and how humans have altered the environment. Brian is working with Rob Quarles 7th grade science classes at Park View Middle School.

Mark Baumann
Mark Baumann completed a B.S. in physics at Duke University and an M.S. in computational and applied mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin before becoming a Ph.D. candidate in physics at UT, where he studies astrophysics as a member of the Center for Relativity. He has also been an active mentor in the UTeach program, which aims to prepare UT science and math majors to become high school and middle school science teachers. Through GK-12 Mark wants to help young students discover that science is exciting and hands-on, and that it is applicable to everything we see and experience in the world around us. Mark is working with Michelle Brown's 7th grade science classes at O'Henry Middle School and Sally Gardner's 5th grade science classes at Rodriguez Elementary School.

Megan Franks
Megan Franks is currently in her 3rd year of a PhD program in the Jackson School of Geosciences. Her project is interdisciplinary, combining water chemistry, hydrology and microbiology to determine how microbial communities affect and are affected by physical and chemical gradients in a hydrothermal water system. Before coming to grad school, she taught Earth Science to 9th grade students in Virginia public schools for two years. Megan hopes to teach at the university level once completing her PhD, focusing on environmental and geological sciences and science education.

Jesse Lasky
Jesse is from Pittsburgh, PA, and is currently a PhD student in the Section of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas doing ecology research. He received a BA in Biology from Kenyon College. He has previously led environmental education programs, been a substitute teacher in Pittsburgh, volunteered with Citizen Schools after school program at Kealing Middle School, and led trips for high school student volunteers in Costa Rica. Jesse is excited to work with Tania Tasneem’s 8th grade students at Kealing Middle School as well Michelle Stokes’ 5th grade students at Baranoff Elementary!

Sally Gardner
Sally Gardner is a graduate of Marietta College, with a B.S. in Childhood Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Technology Integration from the University of Phoenix. Sally has been teaching for 23 years in Elementary and Middle School. She is currently teaching 5th grade at Rodriguez Elementary School in Austin ISD. Sally sees the GK12 program as a great support to the most sensible way to reach kids, through field experiences and expertise.

Michele Stokes
Michele graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development with a specialization in Special Education. She has taught 6th-8th grade science and Social Studies inclusion and is currently teaching at Baranoff Elementary working primarily with 5th grade students. Michele seeks to facilitate the connections of concepts that are relevant for life-long science learners. Along with making connections for the gifted and learning disabled alike, she hopes to create an interest in science for all types of learners that will grow to create tomorrow's scientists..

Rebecca Vore
Rebecca Vore received a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and her graduate studies include Applied Geography with an Environmental Management concentration. In 2001, she co-founded the Discoveries in Gardening and Science (DiGS) program at Austin Discovery School, a small charter school in East Austin. Rebecca hopes that interactions with the fellows in the GK-12 program will help her students understand that they can turn their interests into life-long careers in science. She also wants to develop her own skills and knowledge of the nature of science and form a lasting relationship with the UT science community.

Alex Hendrex
Alex graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in History. In his 12 years at Kealing Middle School (Austin Independent School District), he has taught 8th grade American History and an Amazing Discoveries elective. As a social science teacher, Alex strives to connect the study of the past with concepts that are relevant to today’s society, with a focus on sustainability.

Michelle Brown
Michelle Brown received a B.A. in English Literature, with a minor in Environmental Sciences from Northeastern University in Boston, and a M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Austin in Science Education. This is her 3rd year at O.Henry Middle School in Austin I.S.D., teaching 7th grade science. She is excited to work with her GK-12 fellow to create exciting and rich learning opportunities for all of her students so that they can experience the wonders of science.

Tania Tasneem
Tania received a B.A. in Biology form the University of Texas at Austin, in 2006. As an undergrad, Tania worked with Dr. Daniel Bolnick, studying individual specialization the Stickleback fish. At Kealing Middle School (in AISD), she teaches 8th grade science, and health, and coaches Science Olympiad. Tania is always eager to find new experiences to connect student’s everyday lives to the real world.