Click on the buttons to visit a few of the websites I have created or to learn about some of the volunteer work with which I am involved:
Volunteer Experience (350+ hours per year)
I strongly believe in community service. In my spare time, I enjoy helping nonprofits with their technical needs, from designing and maintaining websites to helping with IT. I also develop teaching aids pertaining to technology, literacy, history, ecology, ornithology, environmental science and zoology for nonprofit organizations that can be used in the classroom, in a lecture hall, or in the field. The teaching aids include, but are not limited to, mobile apps, web-based materials, PowerPoint presentations, eBooks, worksheets, booklets, hands-on activities, and thematic units.
Although I love sitting in front of the computer designing my next circuit board, or playing in the lab assembling my latest robot, I think it is very important for people to spend time connecting to the natural world. Multiple studies have found links between an exposure to nature and better health and increased grades. The easiest and fastest gateway to nature is through birds; everyone has birds around them even if they live in an urban environment. Therefore, much of my nonprofit work involves inspiring children to go outside, take a look around, and study, understand and appreciate the natural world around them.
I am also intimately familiar with the challenges posed by learning disabilities. I have dyslexia and dyscalculia. Using the right tools and technology, I was able to overcome most of the symptoms of those learning differences and I no longer need any special accommodations. Improving literacy skills, particularly among children who have learning disabilities, is another one of my passions.
Some of the nonprofits to which I regularly donate my time are listed below.
Engineering
Coder Dojo
Instructor, Hardware and Software
STARBASE STEM Camp
Presenter
BeWISE STEM Camp for Girls
Teacher
Indiana Tech Engineering Camps
Presenter
Purdue University's EcoMake
Presenter
Purdue Extension
County Science Ambassador; Expansion and Review Board Member
As ambassador, I develop educational programs to help children understand and appreciate scientific principles. I'm often accompanied by my R2-D2 (to discuss circuit design and computer programming) or by my supercomputer and particle accelerator (to discuss computer programming, electrical engineering, and physics). As a board member, I evaluate processes and organization, collect and analyze metrics and data, create and implement plans to improve the quality and reach of the programs, develop marketing plans, identify customer service needs, and review and revise priorities.
Literacy
American Library Association, Allen County Division
Advisory Board
Help create and implement programs that assist children who have reading disabilities
Review unpublished children's books and provide feedback to authors, publishers, and illustrators
Dyslexic Kids Global Not-for-Profit Organization
Officer
20,000 members in 74 countries
Provide resources and support for teachers, parents, and children
Developer of Tips for Reluctant Readers
Science, Nature, and Environment
United States Geological Survey
Solely responsible for the BBS research and data collection in Adams County;
also serve on the BBS team in Wabash and Huntington Counties.
Limberlost State Historic Site
Geneva, IN
Educational Program Developer and Webmaster
My program was selected as an Official Legacy Project by the State of Indiana.
Developer of a series of educational outreach programs (“Alexandra’s Outreach”) that encompass the following subjects: technology, history, ecology, zoology, biology, ornithology, and environmental science.
Worked on a team to develop a mobile app and an eBook for teachers and students.
Created and maintain website.
Indiana Academy of Science’s BioBlitz
Collected data regarding populations at Eagle Marsh
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Pokagon State Park, Angola, IN
Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN
Salamonie State Park, Huntington, IN
Volunteer Naturalist giving presentations about the natural world, create displays, assist visitors and run the Nature Center
Allen County Parks
Fox Island County Park, Fort Wayne, IN
Metea County Park, Fort Wayne, IN
Teach classes to the Indiana Master Naturalists and Junior Master Naturalists
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN and Indianapolis, IN
Represented the Entomology Department at Bug Bowl
Ran the Gromphadorhina portentosa exhibit at Purdue’s Springfest
Indiana Audubon Society
Zionsville, IN
Author, Bird of the Month articles (monthly from March 2014 to January 2018)
Youth Advisor
Presenter at conferences and events
Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab
Fort Wayne, IN
Rehabilitator, presenter, bird handler, program developer, dispatcher, raptor rescuer, fundraiser
Help prepare grant applications and lead fundraisers
Raise awareness by creating and presenting programs
Develop educational and informational material and displays
Teach anatomy, physiology and behavior to classrooms and the public
Fundraising
2019 and 2021 Birdathons benefitting the Portland Audubon Society
Portland, OR
- Team member for the annual event to raise money for educational programs, sanctuaries, and Wildlife Care Center
- Teams raise over $150,000.00 each year
- Exceeded fundraising goals (personally and as a team) by 300%
“Race for Birds” benefitting Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehab
Fort Wayne, IN
- Organized and led fundraising event resulting in a net gain of over $1,500.00
- Inaugural event for the global Race 4 Birds Foundation
- Most money ever raised by Soarin’ Hawk in a single event
Birdathon benefitting the Indiana Dunes State Park
Chesterton, IN
- Team member for the annual 24-hour event to raise money for educational programs
- Annual event raises over $1,000.00 per year in net gain
Public Speaking
Over 60 Presentations
Paid keynote conference speaker. Created and presented original program content based on the needs and interests of each school district, organization or venue. Programs average an hour in length and include animated, interactive PowerPoints along with original booklets, worksheets, activities and displays. To date, I have presented to over 6,000 people (adults and children). Upcoming and past presentations include “Using Technology for Citizen Science”, “The Best Android and iOS Apps for Birding” and “Project Owlnet Research Results: Trends and Outcomes”.
YouTube Channel
Videos of my birding app reviews and demonstrations: https://www.youtube.com/user/indybirdluvr/videos |
Publications
Warbler
November 2015: "Albinism vs. Leucism vs. Dilution vs. Progressive Greying"
Indiana Audubon Society
Website, monthly from March 2014 to January 2018: “Bird of the Month” series of articles
Watching Backyard Birds National Magazine
October 2015 Featured 5-page Article: "Growing a Habitat"
Indiana Audubon Society’s Young Birders
November 30, 2014: "Audubon's Christmas Bird Count"
May 2014: “Is the Biggest Week Really the Biggest Week?”
February 2014: “Birding in Northeast Indiana”
October 2013: “Birding Camp”
April 2013: “Birding Basics and Beyond”
February 2013: “Salamonie Eagle Watch”
November 4, 2012: “How Nightshade Changed My Life”
Tippecanoe Audubon Society
Tippe Topics, January 2015: "Winter Wren"
Tippe Topics, October and November 2014: “Chimney Swift”
Limberlost State Historic Site
Newsletter, Summer 2014: “Chimney Swifts”
Website, July 2014 to present: Blog
Midwest Bird Watching
Variety of booklets
Published Photographs
"Jane Brooks Hine" by Terri Gorney (book cover)
Bird Watcher's Digest, November 2015: "American Bittern"
ACRES Quarterly, Fall 2013: “Woodcock with four babies”
Indiana Audubon Quarterly, November 2013: “A watchful Merlin”
Trine SRA: Two cabins are decorated with my photos (“Woodcock” and “Redwing”)
ABA Eyrie, November 2013: “Dickcissel”
Warbler
November 2015: "Albinism vs. Leucism vs. Dilution vs. Progressive Greying"
Indiana Audubon Society
Website, monthly from March 2014 to January 2018: “Bird of the Month” series of articles
Watching Backyard Birds National Magazine
October 2015 Featured 5-page Article: "Growing a Habitat"
Indiana Audubon Society’s Young Birders
November 30, 2014: "Audubon's Christmas Bird Count"
May 2014: “Is the Biggest Week Really the Biggest Week?”
February 2014: “Birding in Northeast Indiana”
October 2013: “Birding Camp”
April 2013: “Birding Basics and Beyond”
February 2013: “Salamonie Eagle Watch”
November 4, 2012: “How Nightshade Changed My Life”
Tippecanoe Audubon Society
Tippe Topics, January 2015: "Winter Wren"
Tippe Topics, October and November 2014: “Chimney Swift”
Limberlost State Historic Site
Newsletter, Summer 2014: “Chimney Swifts”
Website, July 2014 to present: Blog
Midwest Bird Watching
Variety of booklets
Published Photographs
"Jane Brooks Hine" by Terri Gorney (book cover)
Bird Watcher's Digest, November 2015: "American Bittern"
ACRES Quarterly, Fall 2013: “Woodcock with four babies”
Indiana Audubon Quarterly, November 2013: “A watchful Merlin”
Trine SRA: Two cabins are decorated with my photos (“Woodcock” and “Redwing”)
ABA Eyrie, November 2013: “Dickcissel”