Rebecca Nielsen

Role

Rebecca is the Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) Education Specialist with Michigan Sea Grant and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) in Ann Arbor, MI.  Rebecca has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of formal and non-formal education and specializes in place-based and environmental science education, k-12 curriculum coaching, program design, and program evaluation.  Her GLANSIS work is focused on developing a Great Lakes aquatic nonindigenous species program for K-16 learners, raising awareness of GLANSIS tools and resources, and strengthening partnerships in the education and scientific communities across the Great Lakes region.  Rebecca also spends a portion of her time reviewing the scientific literature and updating GLANSIS database content with the rest of the GLANSIS team.

Education
  • Master of Teaching in secondary science education, postgraduate professional teaching license grades 6-12, University of Virginia
  • Bachelor of Science in biology and anthropology-zoology, University of Michigan
Professional experience
  • Program evaluation consultant – Participate with a team of evaluators to implement program and evaluation strategies for the hubs of the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI) and other nonformal education programs in southeast Michigan.
  • Education Specialist, Director of Site-based Programming, founding leadership team member, Southeast Michigan Stewardship (SEMIS) Coalition – Helped shape the scope, direction, and strategic plan for the SEMIS Coalition for 12 years. Designed and delivered EcoJustice, place-based education focused professional learning workshops and coaching sessions for educators in K-12 classrooms and communities.
  • Adjunct Lecturer, Eastern Michigan University – Designed, instructed and assessed Curriculum 304/305 education methods courses for elementary and secondary preservice teachers. Supervised practicum placements in local k-12 schools.
  • Regional Education Programs Manager, National Wildlife Federation – Planned, and implemented national and regional environmental education programs on climate change, connecting people with nature, and schoolyard habitats in a six state region. Co-founded and co-chaired the Michigan No Child Left Inside Coalition.
  • Senior Manager of Educational Programs, Detroit Science Center – Developed education programs and exhibits aligned to state and national science standards. Created and led professional learning workshops and managed special events.
  • Secondary Science Teacher, Monticello High School, VA – Planned, taught, and assessed multiple achievement levels of biology and ecology classes. Sponsored the school Envirothon team and ecology club.
Rebecca Nielsen

Rebecca Nielsen

GLANSIS Education Specialist

Pronouns: she/hers

(313) 288-2616
nielsenb@umich.edu

 NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

4840 South State St.
Ann Arbor MI 48108