THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (past and present)

Hi, my name is Jenny Marshall (Summers 2007, 2009), and I am excited to return to Breakthrough Saint Paul for a second summer of teaching science. I love the environment that Breakthrough creates where learning is fun and passion abounds. This past semester, I finished my third year at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, where I am majoring in chemistry with plans to go into education. I enjoy chemistry not only because you get to explain what is happening to things on a molecular scale, but also because the demonstrations in chemistry lectures usually turn into demolitions (goggles are a must)! Along with my interest in science, I am a photographer and quilting enthusiast. In my spare time, I enjoy going on walks with my family and flying kites.

Hey everyone, my name is Patty Lin (Summer 2009). I just finished my first year at Bethel University in Arden Hills, MN, majoring in Life Science Education. I’ve always been interested in the sciences, biology in particular, but also enjoy the arts. I’ve played the piano for many years and also love to dance.

G’day everybody! My name is Nick Beermann (Summer 2009), and I am a self-professed biology NERD. I have a huge love of science, and I hope to pass some of my enthusiasm onto students this summer. Currently, I am studying ecology, evolution and behavior at the University of Minnesota, but my studies have taken me all over the world from France to Australia and most recently to Honduras. I have zeal for life in general, but I really enjoy biking, barbeques and SCUBA diving. I am really looking forward to spending the summer with some bright young minds and hope that we can learn lots from each other!

Hey everyone! My name is Mai Ly Thor (Summer 2009). I was born and raised in Saint Paul, MN. I currently attend Beloit College. This is going to be my first summer teaching with Breakthrough Saint Paul and I will be teaching science! In my spare time, I love to do art, learn about psychology, play Frisbee, play on playgrounds, and read. I chose to be a part of this program because I strongly believe in its purpose.

Hey all! My name is Rob Wickham (Summer 2009). I am finishing up my junior year of college at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. I study neuroscience and psychology and am heavily involved in research. I am originally from Hampton, Virginia-- a town right on the Atlantic. However, I have spent the last half of my life in the wilderness that is Minnesota--and I love it here! I am looking forward to working this summer with everyone at BSP! I think it will be a wonderful experience, and I hope to pass on my zest for science and knowledge onto my students!

Hi, my name is Will Lyle (Summer 2007), and I will be teaching at Breakthrough St. Paul this summer. I am a senior at Mounds Park Academy and this fall will be attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I will be studying engineering. I am teaching a science course this summer surrounding movement and physics, a class I took this year and found extremely interesting. I played soccer and tennis for my high school and I enjoy playing them with my friends. I heard about BSP from my history teacher and past MPA students who taught for BSP, and I thought it sounded like an amazing experience.

My name is Liz Wiggen (Summer 2007) and I’m so excited to be teaching at Breakthrough St. Paul! As a health education major from Augsburg College I look forward to getting to know everyone as we engage in a wonderful learning experience full of fun and growth together. I’m thrilled to teach science this summer and hope that by the end of our time together all of you have learned to appreciate science, are able to relate it to your every-day life, and enjoy doing so. I love to travel and try to live every day to the fullest. I enjoy staying healthy by running, biking, and swimming and I can’t wait to share my passion for learning with you all this summer!

Hi students and families! My name is Carrie DeBacker (Summer 2007). I grew up in the Chicago area, but now attend Carleton College, where I study Studio Art and Educational Studies. Inside and outside of school, my favorite things to do are drawing and writing. I’m glad to have the opportunity to teach at BSP this summer because I’ve heard so many things about the quality and motivation of the students. I’m especially looking forward to teaching science, not only because I think goggles are cool, but also because I am interested in ways take scientific knowledge out of the classroom and apply it to daily life. I feel like this summer will be a great experience, and I can’t wait to meet you!