Science Teacher
High School Earth Science Teacher I have taught science to 4th-12th grade students in various capacities, and spent over 15 years working in environmental science education: teaching at public and private schools, teaching and directing science summer programs, and producing educational documentary films. My career in science has taken me around the world - to countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica - to study and document solutions to issues in human rights and environmental science. My teaching philosophy is founded on the principles of discovery, innovation and agency. As a global society, we face challenges that can only be met with innovative technologies and unparalleled collaborative efforts. In my teaching, I challenge students to create solutions to real-world issues, while utilizing compassionate and effective communication and collaboration skills. I create a learning environment where students can develop their own agency through student-led scientific investigations based on their own questions and hypotheses.
|
I can tell you that from the student's perspective, Paul is an inspiration. |
Sign your child up for Nature Adventure Camp! Ages 6-10. Register early: before March 15th for this "$100 off" promotion. Each day we travel to a new location to discover local wildlife and explore the shore through activities such as stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and more! Run by Paul Stoutenburgh: high school earth science teacher with 15 years of leading outdoor explorations for children.
|
|
Sample Science Lessons
Earth Science: Environmental Justice
These are two educational films I produced in collaboration with The Borneo Project and UC Berkeley's RAEL Laboratory. The films offer alternate energy solutions to mega-hydro dams in Malaysian Borneo. I use the films I've created in my science curriculum.
Damming Our Future from The Borneo Project on Vimeo. The film series aired in Malaysian Borneo, and ultimately played a role in stopping the construction of a mega-dam which would have displaced tens of thousands of people from their homes on the river. All of the Borneo Project films can be seen here.
|
Student-made Environmental Films
In the summer of 2012, I led environmental filmmaking workshops with the North Fork Audubon Society.
"A group of teenage students from the North Fork spent this past summer on a quest to create documentaries showcasing the area’s natural places and the threats they face." Click here to read full article.
|
The Plastic Baginators from Paul Stoutenburgh on Vimeo. |
Physical Science: Forces & MotionThe central focus of this learning segment is: the process of testing the most promising design, and then modifying that design on the basis of the test results, which leads to greater refinement and ultimately to an optimal design. (Adapted from NGSS ETS1.C Optimizing the Design Solution) What are the main components of a water bottle rocket? How can we test them to optimize the rocket’s flight time?
|
Paul's Journey as an Environmental Science Filmmaker
I worked as an environmental science and human rights filmmaker for several years, these experiences have expanded my perspective as a classroom teacher.
Through documentaries, commercials, music videos, and public services announcements, I produced content for organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Green Peace, Cornell University, the Earth Island Institute, Audobon, Barron’s, and Laserfiche. My films have been acknowledged at over a dozen international film festivals, receive hundreds of thousands of views and, most importantly, have inspired political change. |