This month, we recognize KeriAnn Rubin for her work with Penn State University's Earth and Space Science Partnership (ESSP) and congratulate her as she finishes her Master’s degree in the College of Education at Penn State. Prior to entering graduate school, KeriAnn taught 7th and 8th grade at Saint Patrick School in Newry, where she received a FirstEnergy grant to purchase equipment necessary for students to measure energy consumption of common technological devices. While a member of the astronomy learning progression research group of ESSP, KeriAnn presented at the 2013 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Regional Conference in Charlotte, NC, and has taken the lead on writing up and submitting an article to the peer-reviewed NSTA journal Science Scope. In the words of her nominator, “KeriAnn has really embraced and taken opportunities to learn astronomy content and is making really significant contributions to our research group. She’s been fantastic staying on top of all of the different aspects of the project we have asked her to take on.”

Congratulations, KeriAnn - you clearly are a PAESTAR!