Patricia Franzen
My students have benefited greatly from my association with the Lederman Science Education Center. Not only has it expanded my horizons and made me a more knowledgeable teacher, it has helped keep my classes abreast of the ever changing world of science. Field trips, telecommunication options, shared materials and summer/weekend class options help students realize the wonder of science that public schools are simply not equipped to provide.
Pat Franzen has been associated with Fermilab since 1990 as a workshop participant and instructor, Science Adventure instructor, developer of instructional units, researcher and board member of Fermilab Friends for Science Education. As a middle school science teacher, she was accepted into the1990 Summer Science Project. Her collaborative style, boundless energy and questioning mind caught the attention of Education Office staff, and Pat was invited to participate in the development of the Particles and Prairies instructional materials and multimedia program. The multimedia program received Invision magazine's highest award for a multimedia program, and the Gold award for educational multimedia. Pat's confidence and leadership ability have grown, and she now confidently presents teacher regional and national in service workshops. In 1993 her knowledge of the prairie directly led to her appointment as a Teacher Research Associate. She continued her research project even after the TRAC program was concluded and accomplished an unprecedented research effort that has been of interest to entomologists statewide. In 1996 Pat continued to develop her instructional expertise. She attended a summer institute to develop engaged learning projects on the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Web site based on her previous work in the prairie. After many years in the science classroom, Pat founded Wild Enterprises, Inc., specializing in standards-based science curriculum writing and professional development. She produced award winning curricula for such clients as Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Brookfield Zoo, and Wilderness Classroom/Traveling Ed. Most recently, she is associated with Pearson Education where she contributes to professional development and online curriculum development. Pat also teaches graduate level classes for Bradley University, St. Xavier University, and Aurora University. Pat promotes education in her volunteer life as well, serving on the Fermilab Friends of Science Education board, the Wilderness Classroom Organization board, and the University of Dubuque Alumni Board. She is on the Scott's Prairie advisory board at the Illinois Children's Home in Peoria, which is working to develop an outdoor learning and adventure facility. This initiative includes the restoration of a prairie parcel for the benefit of the children at the home. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 1993 she was nominated for the Presidential Award in Science Teaching and received the Award of Excellence from the Illinois Science Teachers Association. Pat was Fermilab's 1995 Association of Science and Technology Centers Honored Teacher of the Year. In 1998, she received Awards of Excellence from the Illinois Math and Science Academy and District 203 and was a finalist for the Golden Apple Award, sponsored by Northwestern University and the Golden Apple Foundation Fermilab was instrumental in Pat's love of prairie, providing opportunities for research, collaboration, and curriculum development projects. The restored prairie at Fermilab is among her favorite places. |