PHS Science Teacher Brings Renewed Passion to Classroom Through Research Grant

Pendleton High School teacher Stacy Hansen spent a lot of time on a beach last summer, but she wasn’t soaking up the sunshine or playing in the surf; she was studying octopuses and endangered abalones. Hansen is the recipient of a Partners in Science Program Grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. This unique Pacific Northwest program pairs high school science teachers with mentor scientists doing cutting-edge research in an academic lab. The purpose is to “help teachers bring knowledge from the research lab directly into the classroom to promote hands-on science education,” according to the program’s website.

Hansen is working on a Master of Biology degree from Walla Walla University. In the summer of 2022, Hansen worked at the Walla Walla University Rosario Beach Marine Biology Laboratory in Anacortes, Washington. Dr. Kirt Onthank, associate professor of biology at Walla Walla University, is the facility’s director and is also Hansen’s mentor. The purpose of Hansen’s study is to study the impacts of climate change on the predatory/prey relationship between Octopus rubescens and pinto abalone. This species of abalone is the only one present in the state of Washington and has experienced a 97% decline in population since 1992. Octopus rubescens is a commonly seen species in Washington’s Salish Sea. Working on this research project was “a whole big adventure and gave me so much inspiration and renewed passion for science and for teaching science,” Hansen said.

After collecting specimens in the ocean, working in the lab, and taking thousands of hours of video of abalones, Hansen prepared a scientific poster of her research and presented it in January in San Diego, California, at the 2023 Partners in Science National Conference.

At Pendleton High School, Hansen teaches Freshman Physical Science, Sophomore General Biology, and Sophomore Honors Biology 1. What does her recent research bring to her classroom and lab at PHS? In addition to reigniting her passion for science, which she shares with her students, Hansen said she is working to make science instruction more than just vocabulary and create labs that promote critical thinking. “I would like to align my class labs with a more realistic view – many times, experiments scientists work on do not turn out the way they predict. This frustration can be good for students because they have to ask themselves, ‘what could I have done differently?’ and gives them the opportunity to persevere.”

Hansen enjoys seeing her students work together and see how important collaboration is to learning, plus she said more hands-on experiments appeal to a different group of students and diversifies who emerges as leaders during lab work. “The world is in desperate need of people who can solve problems, and that sense of accomplishment is amazing,” Hansen said.

This summer, Hansen will return to Anacortes to continue her research. She will then present, defend and write about her research in San Diego in 2024.

For more information about the Partners in Science Program, visit: https://murdocktrust.org/science-research-and-education/partners-in-science-program/

“Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is the motto of FFA.

FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of food, fiber, and natural resources.  FFA promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success among its members.

Pendleton High School FFA Advisors Marty Campbell and Kylee Hunt invest in their students who work hard before, during and after school to succeed.  This includes working on projects, continuing their SAEs, and practicing for Career Development Events such as Ag Mechanics, Meats Evaluation, and Livestock Evaluation, all of which have enlisted the help of many community members.  Mr. Campbell shares some of the recent student successes.

• Eight students will be receiving their State FFA Degree (pending final approval by the state)
• District Proficiency Award Winners (awarded for excellence in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences)
  • Kelli Nelson in Sheep Production
  • Crae Campbell in Ag Sales and Service
  • Michael Roselle in Goat Production
  • Kelli Nelson in Veterinary Science
  • Rylee Demianew in Agricultural Education
  • Alison Spratling in Grain Production
• Kelli Nelson placed second in the Job Interview Career Development Event and will be moving on to Sectionals
• Faith Olson placed third in the district with her portfolio of FFA activities
• Adrie Fisher placed second in the district with the Chapter scrapbook and will be going on to State
• Rylee Demianew placed second in Advanced Public Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
• Faith Olson won the Sophomore Public Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
• Casey Van Corn placed fourth in the Beginning Public Speaking
• Vance Nelson won the Creed Speaking and will move on to Sectionals
• Hazel Case placed fourth in the Creed Speaking
• Michael Roselle was elected Blue Mountain District Treasurer

A big thank you to the advisors and congratulations to the students!

 

 

 

Karen Demianew, Maddy Stuvland and Ron Murphy serve as advocates, mentors, coaches, cheerleaders, and teachers, and they are truly the glue that holds so many aspects of our schools together. As we recognize their hard work and dedication this week, we want to express our appreciation and gratitude to each of our amazing school counselors. We know students cannot learn unless their social and emotional needs are being tended to, and our school counselors are there to remove barriers and help students to navigate challenges. We are so lucky here at Pendleton High School to be surrounded by such a talented and creative group of school counselors.