Region XI: Coconino County
Adrian Alvarez
Grand Canyon Unified School District
Personal information you’d like people to know about you:
I was born, and raised in Arizona. My family, friends, and school leaders modeled perseverance, and dedication to helping our community. As an educator, and a parent, I am inspired by our students, and their families. Over the last twenty years, I have worked in Arizona, and California, across Pre-K through 12th grade, exceptional student services, adult education, professional development, and curriculum development. Education is a fundamental right that promotes health, and happiness. The pursuit of understanding through science practices is an endeavor that challenges learners to explore, inquire, and evolve; a pursuit fueled by curiosity, and the drive for insight. STEAM Education is more than a pedagogy; it is a pathway where collaboration, and practices, support social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
One of your favorite science activities:
Data over Time Graphs (Joy / Time; Change / Time Graphs) –
Whether collecting data about observations or emotions, students can tell a story that compares, and graphs, any experience they have over a specific period of time; they share their ideas, their classmates ask questions to gather more evidence, and they all reflect on that shared experience. It is an activity that gives students an opportunity to share something important to them, and a good way to get to know one another. Students have described some of the best moments, and some of the most challenging moments, in their lives.
Why you serve ASTA:
The Arizona Science Teachers Association promotes equity, and access to high-quality science learning for Arizona students, families, and educators, and working with the organization has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career.
My friend shared an email with an application for ASTA’s “A Deeper Dive” project to design 3-dimensional, Middle School Units. Having the opportunity to work on that project led me to groups of kind, and dedicated educators in districts across the state. Working with the ASTA teams was an experience that provided collaboration, growth as an educator, and useful resources.
Since then, I have continued to build friendships, and partnerships, with professionals from ASTA, The National Park Service, The AZ Department of Education, BSCS Science of Colorado, University of Washington, NAU’s AZK12 Center, and Washington D.C. Their support, and our collaboration, is incredibly valuable, and I am honored to be a part of this organization.
