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About
Alec Barron
Director of the San Diego Science Project
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.
Cheryl Peach, Ph.D.
Director of Scripps Educational Alliances at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Cheryl Peach, Ph.D., is the Director of Scripps Educational Alliances at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. She focuses on integrating science and education, spearheading new outreach initiatives, and incorporating Scripps research into high-quality educational programs. Cheryl has a background in undergraduate instruction and mentoring, currently serving as a lecturer at UC San Diego. She teaches courses in Earth history, evolution, climate science, and science communications, while also leading seminars and workshops to enhance mentoring skills. Cheryl is the chair of the Scripps Diversity Advisory Committee. Prior to joining Scripps, she spent seven years as an oceanography faculty member and interim dean at Sea Education Association (SEA). At SEA, Cheryl conducted research at sea, taught introductory oceanography, and mentored undergraduates in independent research. She holds a Ph.D. in geochemistry from Columbia University, a master's degree in oceanography from the University of Washington, and a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia.
Nan Renner, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships - Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Educator, designer, cognitive scientist, and project leader, Nan Renner works with colleagues and collaborators to promote learning about and love for our living planet. She connects learning across the lifespan in multiple settings, in schools and outside of schools. She advocates for educational equity, experiential learning, and collective action toward climate and environmental justice. Nan brings the ethos of activism for positive social change and community organizing to her work. She serves on steering committees for the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) Leadership Council, UC-CSU Environmental and Climate Change Literacy Project (ECCLPs), and Youth4Climate. She is co-PI for the NSF-funded SoCal Heat Hub at UC San Diego and Embodied Pacific, Art and Science at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Crystal Howe
Environmental Literacy Coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education
Crystal Howe has been a science educator in San Diego for 21 years. After 14 years teaching high school science, she learned that our students need a greater understanding of their connection to the natural world. As the environmental literacy coordinator for San Diego County Office of Education, Crystal’s focus is to support teacher to use an environmental lens to inspire kids across the content areas and grades. Much of her time is spent working with teacher, informal educators, and science experts to identify local environmental phenomena for use in the classroom.