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Mike Best

This presentation discusses the GK-12 program funded by the National Science Foundation, aimed at integrating STEM concepts, particularly computer science, into traditional classrooms. It highlights the importance of computational thinking as a modern problem-solving approach and shares personal insights on the graduate school experience. The speaker emphasizes the motivation behind pursuing graduate studies, the appeal of specialty classes, and the exciting research opportunities, including a project on the biology of mosquitoes and their role in malaria.

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Mike Best

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Mike Best

  2. About GK-12 • GK-12 is a program funded by the National Science Foundation • Our goal is to have fellows in STEM classrooms, where they will help teachers integrate concepts of computer science into traditional lecture.

  3. About DISSECT

  4. What is Computational Thinking? • Computational thinking to me is; • “Thinking outside the box”, using modern tools to solve age old problems. • Designing the tools to solve the problem, then addressing the problem itself.

  5. What is Grad School? • Grad School is the icing on the cake of life. Just when you think you have finished all the schooling you will ever need…..along comes grad school. • However it is not as hard to retain interest because they are classes of YOUR choosing. Not some preplanned curriuculum.

  6. Why I Chose Grad School • The biggest motivator for me was the large disparity in job openings between a generally higher educated individual and someone with a graduate degree. • Second I really enjoy the specialty classes that I have chosen and they motivate me to learn more!

  7. Research Title • Currently I am in between projects however, starting in Spring of 2012 I will have the honor of working with Dr. Xu in cataloging the biome of the mosquito to determine what changes enable the malarial plasmodium to inhabit and survive inside the mosquito.

  8. Experiences • Military Brat: Moved almost once every two years. Graduated High School in Germany. • Veteran of the U.S.N. (FMF Hospital Corpsman) • Emergency Room Technician • Firefighter • Mechanic • Entrepreneur (C.O.O. of TECHHOTZONE) • And currently an enthusiastic Graduate Student in Bioinformatics

  9. Video Bio

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