91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ geosciences faculty member receives regional Rod Nave Award for science teachers
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.βSarah R. Lalk, an assistant clinical professor in 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐβs geosciences department, is receiving this yearβs Rod Nave Award, designated for those who represent a βsignificant connection between the sciences and the science education community.β
Presented to one educator annually by the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education, the award was created in 1998 and named for Rod Nave, a Georgia State University physics professor of more than 50 years who developed special classes for science teachers using the latest technologies and emphasizing the conceptual physics approach. The award includes a monetary stipend for educational pursuits.
SASTE includes members from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina and fosters leadership in and support for those involved in the professional development of teachers of science.
βIt is amazing to be recognized by colleagues and peers for work with our community,β said Lalk, a native of Adrian, Minnesota. βCreating authentic, relevant learning experiences for our 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ students and surrounding communities is a passion that began with my own experiences as a K-12 teacher and has expanded in directions never imagined. Many thanks for this accomplishment go to the friendships made and professional growth opportunities here at 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ.β
Lalk said she plans to use the Rod Nave stipend for a community engagement project to create a web resource linking global geography topics to local examples around Oktibbeha County. Students in Lalkβs Honors World Regional Geography course are collaborating with the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum on the project,
Lalk has been affiliated with 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ since 2009, when she completed her online masterβs degree in geosciences while living in Bryan, Texas. In 2010, she joined 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐβs staff as a National Science Foundation project coordinator, partnering STEM graduate students from the university with local teachers to introduce research topics to K-12 students. In 2016, she transitioned to the teaching faculty and continues to focus on community outreach in her courses.
Lalk was an 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ Community-Engaged Learning Fellow in 2020-21. She teaches three courses that are CEL certified: Geomorphology; Community Engagement in Geosciences; and Honors World Regional Geography. She also is an active participant with the 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ/SOSD Weather Station at Partnership Middle School, located on 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐβs campus.
For more about Lalk, visit .
Part of 91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐβs College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Geosciences is online at .
91ΒιΆΉΜμΓΐ is Mississippiβs leading university, available online atΒ .Μύ