Photograph by Carlye Calvin

Sandra Henderson

Hi there!

I am a science educator with the Windows to the Universe project. Mostly, I work on the classroom activities and help lead our professional development efforts for teachers. It is very rewarding and enjoyable to help take the Windows to the Universe project 'on the road' to share with science teachers from around the country at meetings and conferences.

Portland, Oregon is my hometown. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest gave me the opportunity to explore all sorts of different environments like mountains, valleys, coastal areas, high deserts, and rivers. When it was time to go to college, I knew I wanted to do something that would let me learn more about the world's different ecosystems and the plants, animals, and people living in them. I attended Oregon State University and earned a B.S. and M.S. from the Department of Geography.

After graduating, I went to work at the U.S. Environmental Research Laboratory where I joined a team working on the potential effects of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems. Part of our work was to figure out what might happen to the plants and animals of different ecosystems if the climate continued to change rapidly. I had an opportunity to help teachers develop classroom materials on climate. As a result of my time working with teachers, I returned to Oregon State University and earned a Ph.D. in Science Education. I have continued to work as a science educator at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado where I work on a number of different science education projects including Windows to the Universe.

When I am not at work, there are lots of things that keep me busy. I am married to a really nice guy and we have two grown children. I love being around animals and am very lucky to have two dogs, three cats, and five horses. I also like to hike, ski, garden, quilt, cook, and read.

Last modified May 15, 2008 by Sandra Henderson.

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Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA