Margaret D - Research Program Mentor | Polygence
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Margaret D

- Research Program Mentor

MA at Stanford University

Expertise

Geology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Paleontology, Biology, World Mythology, Theater Design, Education

Bio

Hello! I like rocks! More specifically, Martian rocks. I studied Martian meteorites during my undergrad at UCSD, and I wrote my MS thesis on the honeycomb structures in Mars' Hellas basin. I'm also interested in paleontology, volcanology, tectonics, mineralogy, petrology, and natural disasters. I received my MA in education from Stanford, and I currently teach chemistry and marine biology at a high school in Palo Alto. In my spare time, I read books, write stories, design props for a local theater company, practice martial arts, and go on food adventures.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Satellite remote sensing on Earth and/or Mars

(Advanced research paper) Using available data (Google Earth and others), we can study patterns and analyze trends in earthquakes, landslides, water resources, weather, climate, and more! You will learn how to gather and interpret geographical data and write a research paper.

An exploration of paleontology through paleoart

(Beginner project) Are you an artist who love dinosaurs or has an interest in the weirder creatures that evolution created in times long past? Try paleoart! Reconstruct ancient organisms and their interactions using the latest scientific evidence.

Languages I know

Mandarin Chinese - native

Teaching experience

Currently, I teach chemistry and marine biology at a public high school. I previously taught middle and high school students science (biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, astronomy, zoology, forensic science, marine biology) and math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus) at a private school. I've also taught a natural disasters class at UCSD, and oceanography, paleontology, mineralogy, and intro to dinosaurs at UCLA. I've tutored high school students in biology, algebra, and test prep.

Credentials

Work experience

Fusion Academy (2019 - 2021)
Math and Science Teacher
AJ Tutoring (2018 - 2019)
Academic and test prep tutor
Fremont High School (Sunnyvale) (2021 - 2022)
Teacher
Palo Alto High School (2022 - Current)
Teacher

Education

University of California San Diego (UCSD)
BS Bachelor of Science (2016)
Earth Science; Theater and Literature double minor
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
MS Master of Science (2018)
Geology
Stanford University
MA Master of Arts (2022)
Education

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