CityClub Volunteer Dennis Schatz off to Australia and the National Science Foundation

Dennis Schatz, an active CityClub volunteer who sits on both our Program Committee and Education Task Force, has some exciting times ahead! It has been with Dennis's help that CityClub has hosted the Washington State LASER Awards three years running - and he's been invited to develop a similar program at the University of Queensland. (During this time, he'll also work on his 22nd children's book!) After that, he's been invited to be a temporary Program Director at the National Science Foundation.

Congratulations, Dennis, from the whole CityClub family! To read more about these adventures, continue below the cut.

Dennis Schatz, Senior Vice President for Strategic Programs at Pacific Science Center and Co-Director of Washington State LASER, will spend from August through January in Australia.

During his first three months in Australia, Dennis will be a Visiting Scholar at the University of Queensland.  Based on the success of the Washington State LASER network, he has been asked to help develop a LASER-like effort in STEM education that connects the University, Education Queensland (the equivalent of Washington State's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction - OSPI), the public and private research establishments in Queensland and local school districts.

The last three months in Australia will be in Sydney to complete (he hopes) the manuscript for a children's book, Growing Up in Australia.  This is a continuation of the work that he did during his time in Australia in 2008.  This will be his 22nd children's book if it is accepted for publication.  You can learn more about his many children's book on his web site (www.dennisschatz.org).

Shortly after returning from Australia Dennis has been invited to be a temporary Program Director at the National Science Foundation in the Division on Research on Learning in Washington DC.  He will be involved in activities that include informal science education as well as formal education at the K-12 level.  His experience in both informal and formal education is a key reason for his being asked to spend time at NSF.  He will work at NSF for at least one year, and possibly for two years, although the time at NSF allows for him to spend some time being involved in science education back in Washington State.

Share