MEGA:BITESS ACADEMY

Becky

Trout Fryxell

Associate Professor

Medical & Veterinary Entomologist

University of Tennessee

Trout Fryxell is a medical and veterinary entomologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee.  Trout Fryxell uses her formal training in her research and teaching program at UT. Her research program focuses on managing vectors and their pathogens to improve human and animal health and welfare. This project directly aligns with her interests in mosquitoes and La Crosse virus, as she has worked with both state and county health departments to improve Aedes mosquito and virus surveillance.

Julie Andsager

Professor

Journalism & Electronic Media

University of Tennessee

Andsager teaches courses on health, science, medicine, and the media at UT. Her research focuses on media and health messages – how those are constructed through news and entertainment, and how audiences interpret them. Her education includes a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry, with a personal and professional background in agriculture and public relations.

Joshua Rosenberg

Assistant Professor, STEM Education and Science

Dr. Rosenberg teaches classes in science and STEM education, educational technology, and research methods. In his classes, Dr. Rosenberg aims to involve students in authentic practices from the field of study.

Kurt

Butefish

Director

Tennessee Geographic Alliance  University of Tennessee

Butefish has directed the Tennessee Geographic Alliance (TGA) for the past 18 years. TGA provides educators professional development while advocating for geography. Over the past four years TGA has hosted and cohosted Geospatial Academies and trained over 60 K-12 educators in effectively incorporating geospatial technologies in their classrooms.

Michael Camponovo

GIS Instructor &

Outreach Coordinator

University of Tennessee

Camponovo is a former high-school science educator, was hired by the UT Geography Department in 2016 as the GIS Outreach Coordinator and GIS Instructor. Under his direction the department’s community and stakeholder engagement has expanded in a variety of formats, including direct instruction to students in K-12 classrooms. Camponovo works with K-12 educators to promote geospatial technology and provide educator-focused professional development. He coordinates efforts with partners to provide career and mentoring resources.

Brian Smith

Geospatial Academies

Co-Facilitator

Jefferson Middle School

Smith is an in-service educator who serves as a peer-mentor and has co-facilitated Geospatial Academies.  He is also a National Geographic Geo-Inquiry Ambassador.