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Laura A. Guertin received her B.A. in Geology from Bucknell University and her Ph.D. in Marine Geology & Geophysics from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. Dr. Guertin’s primary research focus is the effective integration of innovative technologies to improve student learning in introductory-level geoscience courses. Research projects with students have included using Palm Pilots, iPods, GPS, Google Earth, and other technological tools for geoscience research and outreach. She has been awarded the Penn State – Commonwealth College Award for Teaching Excellence, Penn State’s George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, and in 2009 was recognized at the national level with the Biggs Earth Science Teaching Award, an award that places her in the Geology Hall of Fame.
She is the program coordinator for the campus Schreyer Honors Programs, intercollege minor in environmental inquiry, and the Laboratory for Civic Engagement. She has received funding from the National Science Foundation, EPA, and the Society of Women Environmental Professionals. She is a co-principal investigator on a $9.2 million National Science Foundation – Targeted Math Science Partnership grant to improve middle school Earth & space science teaching in Pennsylvania. She is the past chair of the Geoscience Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research and a former councilor-at-large with the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. She currently is the president of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association and serves on the Board of Trustees of Tyler Arboretum. She enjoys traveling to National Parks, geocaching, and attending Philadelphia sporting events.
Media inquiries on pedagogical integration of technological tools welcome.
Ten Select Publications
Guertin, L.A. (2011). Classroom integration of Earth and Space Science news stories through audio. The Earth Scientist, 27(2): 41-45.
Guertin, L.A., Neville, S.E. (2011). Utilizing Google Earth to teach students about global oil spill disasters. Science Activities: Classroom Projects and Curriculum Ideas, 48(1): 1-8. Undergraduate student co-author.
Scholtz, L.A., Guertin, L.A. (2010). Using tombstone records from Centralia, PA, to evaluate the effects of mining activities on male survivorship. The Pennsylvania Geographer, 48(1): 3-15. Undergraduate student lead author.
DiLauro, A., Meyers, T., Guertin, L.A. (2010). The value of extending the honors contract beyond one semester: a case study with Smithsonian Dinosaurs. Honors in Practice, 6: 109-115. Undergraduate student lead authors.
Guertin, L.A. (2009). Using Just-in-Time Teaching in the Geosciences. In: S. Simkins & M.H. Maier (Eds.), Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) Across the Disciplines, Across the Academy. VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC, 101-116.
Guertin, L.A., Esparragoza, I.E. (2009). Beginning undergraduate research experiences at the freshman and sophomore level at Penn State Brandywine. In: M.K. Boyd & J.L. Wesemann (Eds.), Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Research: Fostering Excellence and Enhancing the Impact. DC: Council on Undergraduate Research, 89-100.
Woodruff, J.B., Acuna, E.B., Silano, R.L., Guertin, L.A. (2009). Enhanced podcast of Pennsylvania tree biodiversity in Ridley Creek State Park. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 83(2/3): 90-93. Undergraduate student lead authors.
Guertin, L.A., S.E. Zappe, and H. Kim. (2007). "Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) exercises to engage students in an introductory-level dinosaur course.” Journal of Science Education and Technology 16: 507-514.
Guertin, L.A. (2006). "Integrating handheld technology with field investigations in introductory-level geoscience courses.” Journal of Geoscience Education 54: 143-146.
Guertin, L.A., Downey, E.A. (2005). Bringing Absolutely Incredible Kid Day! to the classroom and campus community. The Journal for Civic Commitment, Issue 6, URL: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/other/engagement/Journal/Issue6/Guertin.jsp