Maureen Horne

Horne’s innovative teaching idea, “Coral Reef Tank – STEM in Action,” is focused on maintaining a coral reef aquarium that offers students a hands-on way to apply chemistry, biology and environmental sciences. Through studies centered on water chemistry, data collection and analysis, and coral growth and propagation, students will gain a deeper understanding of how sciences connect to real-world careers. The combination of science content from various disciplines will encourage them to ask questions, make observations and use findings to solve problems. The program also will lead students to learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related professions. To engage in environmental stewardship, Horne says the students will care for the corals, propagate them and trade or sell them to others to lessen the demand for wild-harvested specimens.  Students will observe the inhabitants and equipment to learn about how a closed system operates and the dynamics of energy conversions.  Horne says these overarching ideas of science are often difficult to teach without a real-world experience.