Astrobiology for Educators Faculty
Dr. Ann Schmiedekamp
Professor of Physics
Dr. Schmiedekamp teaches both physics, astronomy and astrobiology at Penn State Abington. She has received the President's Award for the Engagement of Students and she has also been a NASA Solar System Ambassador, giving outreach programs on NASA missions to both children and adult audiences for more than ten years.
Dr. Kathy Fadigan
Assistant Professor of Science Education
Dr. Kathy Fadigan teaches science education and biology courses to pre-service and in-service teachers at Penn State Abington and Penn State Great Valley. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the idea of teacher as facilitator. In her courses she helps educators learn how to provide effective, student-centered, learning experiences that will enable students to construct their own scientific understandings, while at the same time helping teachers to expand their own science content knowledge.
Dr. Lori Rink
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Lori Rink received her PhD from Temple University. She teaches Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity, Introduction to Microbiology and Introduction to Human Physiology at Penn State Abington. Dr. Rink has been doing cancer research at Fox Chase Cancer Center for the past 6 years. She has a passion for inspiring young students to venture into the sciences by mentoring high school students in the laboratory setting.