Biography
Steve Schreiner is a science educator at West Valley High School in Spokane Valley, Washington, where he teaches biology and physics.
For the 2010-2011 school year, Steve served an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia. Working in the Office of International Science and Engineering, Steve gained a first-hand view of cutting edge collaborative research taking place throughout North and South America.
For the five years prior to his Fellowship, Steve taught fifth-grade through eighth-grade science in multiage classrooms at West Valley City School, a project-based middle school in Spokane Valley, focusing primarily on environmental education and scientific investigation design.
Steve's students visit authentic places--natural areas, schools, back yards, and businesses--to perform independent research projects, collect data, and form conclusions. Steve places an emphasis on student collaboration and real-life presentations, and his students have presented their original work to audiences that include school district superintendents, state legislators, and community leaders.
Steve is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Washington, earning degrees in human biology and science education. He’s passionate about field studies not only in his classroom, but also in his personal life. He has researched leaf-cutter ant behavior at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica, studied natural history while backpacking through the Hawaiian Islands, learned neuroscience at Hopkins Marine Center on the California coast, studied grey whale behavior at La Push, Washington, and traveled around the globe on the Semester at Sea program. Over the past several summers, he has enrolled in science courses at Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Mount Rainier National Parks, and he recently attended Space Academy for Educators at the US Space & Rocket Center.
Steve believes in student-centered classrooms where learners have opportunities to make choices about their own education. Rather than focusing on textbook knowledge of scientific concepts, he teaches students how to ask and answer scientific questions, empowering them to work independently on research topics of their own choosing. His work in environmental education--specifically his efforts to engage students in environmental field studies--earned him the 2008 Outstanding Formal Environmental Educator Award from the Environmental Education Association of Washington.
Steve loves travel and adventure. He frequently leads his classes on local field trips, and he has recently led week-long student expeditions to Yellowstone National Park, Orcas Island, and Puget Sound. His Semester at Sea experience took him to 10 foreign ports of call, from Vietnam to Morocco, and sparked an interest in international travel that continues to this day.
Awards and Honors
Space Foundation Teacher Liaison
awarded by Space Foundation, 2011
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator
awarded by United States National Science Foundation, 2010
Honeywell Space Academy Educator
awarded by Honeywell International, 2010
Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year
awarded by Environmental Education Association of Washington, 2008
Sustainable Forestry Teacher
awarded by Idaho Forest Products Commission, 2007
Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant Recipient
awarded by Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2007
Math-Science Partnership Grant Recipient
awarded by Eastern Washington University, 2006
Degrees
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2002-2004
Master in Teaching, Secondary Science, March 2004
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 1997-2001
Bachelor of Arts, Human Biology, June 2001
Professional Experience
West Valley High School: Biology & Physics Teacher, Spokane Valley, WA, 2011-present
Teach biology and physics courses for 9th-12th grade students using inquiry techniques.
Organization for Tropical Studies: Inquiry in Rainforests, Costa Rica, 2011
Trained in inquiry-based field science, conducting original research on leaf cutter ant behavior.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center: Space Academy for Educators, Huntsville, AL, 2010
Trained in formal and informal space science, including simulated space shuttle missions.
University of Utah: Genetics Summer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, 2010
Trained in Learn.Genetics curriculum, focusing on online tools for genetics instruction.
West Valley City School: 5th-8th Grade Science Teacher, Spokane Valley, WA, 2005-2010
Designed and taught original curriculum focused on scientific investigation design.
Mt. Rainier National Park: Living with a Volcano in your Back Yard, Ashford, WA, 2009
Trained in volcanic hazards curriculum, focusing on National Park Service & USGS resources.
The Heritage Institute: Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, WY, 2008
Trained in field-based geology and environmental science teaching practices.
Idaho Forest Products Commission: Sustainable Forestry Tour, Lewiston, ID, 2007
Trained in sustainable forestry practices with emphasis on forestry career paths.
NEW ESD 101: Enhancing Education Through Technology, Spokane, WA, 2007
Trained in Microsoft Peer Technology Coaching, focusing on technology integration.
Eastern Washington University: Math-Science Partnership Workshop, Cheney, WA, 2006
Trained in strategies for incorporating mathematics and science instruction across disciplines.
Ferris High School: 9th & 10th Grade Science Teacher, Spokane, WA, 2004-2005
Taught biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science using Understanding by Design practices.
YMCA Camp Reed: Summer Camp Counselor & Camp Ranger, Fan Lake, WA, 1997-2003
Designed and led programs in archery, riflery, arts and crafts, aquatics, and wilderness hiking.
Stanford University: Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA, 2001
Studied intertidal zoology, performing original research on neurobiology of California sea slug.
San Francisco State University: Wildlands Studies, Hawaiian Islands, 2000
Conducted field research on geographical, biological, and cultural issues in Hawaiian Islands.
University of Pittsburgh: Semester at Sea, Asia, Northern Africa, Europe, 1999
Sailed around the world studying global development, with experiences in ten ports-of-call.
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