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About
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The San Diego Science Project (SDSP) serves both San Diego and Imperial County and is a partnership between UC San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education. The project is housed within the Center for Research on Educational Equity and Teaching Excellence (CREATE) at UC San Diego and works collaboratively with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Birch Aquarium.
Alec Barron
Alec Barron is the Director of the San Diego Science Project at UC San Diego CREATE. In previous roles as a K12 science teacher, an instructional coach, and administrator, he led the design of new curricula, professional learning, and instructional coaching to support NGSS implementation. Alec has a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Education, a Masters degree in Education, and a Doctorate degree in Leadership for Educational Equity. When not getting nerdy with science educators, he can be found on trails in nature exploring phenomena of our natural world.
John Spiegel
John Spiegel is a 20+ year educator with a passion for science teaching and learning. Since 2013 he has worked closely with teachers, schools, and districts as they implement the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition to being a co-director of the San Diego Science Project, he is a Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the San Diego County Office of Education. John has a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. When not working directly with educators, he enjoys being in nature, finding and exploring phenomena around him.
Teacher Leaders
Marlys Williamson
Chula Vista Elementary School District
Science Coordinator
Teaching Studio Specialist
Lacy Szuwalski
San Diego Unified School District
STEAM Resource Teacher
Teaching Studio Specialist
Melanie Villanueva
Sweetwater Union High School District
Middle School Science Teacher
Lead Facilitator of the Community of Practice
Zoë Randall
San Diego Unified School District
STEAM Resource Teacher
Teaching Studio Specialist
Rachel Stein Meisner
Sweetwater Union High School District
Secondary Science Teacher
Lead Facilitator of the Community of Practice
Cady Hwang
San Diego Unified School District
STEAM Resource Teacher
Teaching Studio Specialist
Danielle Vincent Griffith
San Diego Unified School District
Secondary Science Teacher
Lead Facilitator of the Community of Practice
Camille Fowler
San Diego Unified School District
Secondary Science Teacher
Lead Facilitator of the Community of Practice
Tali Lerner
San Diego Unified School District
Science Resource Teacher
Lead Facilitator of the Community of Practice
Sarah Moynes
San Diego Unified School District
Science Resource Teacher
Facilitator of the Teacher / Researcher Collaborative
Communications Team
Ria Singhania
Ria is an ambitious undergraduate student at UCSD pursuing a degree in International Business with a minor in Computer Science. She is the Communications and Social Media Intern for the project. Her passion for community work and designing websites has allowed her to excel here! In her free time, Ria enjoys staying active by running and soaking up the sun at the beach.
Leyna Pham
Leyna Pham is the Web/Video Production Assistant for the San Diego Science Project working towards a B.S. in Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Design & Human-Computer Interaction. Her background consists in working with those in all types of backgrounds and she loves creative problem-solving. When she’s not creating, you can find her museum hopping, playing Roblox, or playing tennis.
