Email

dgaray@bcm.edu

Positions

Instructor

School of Health Professions
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX US

Curriculum Developer and Author

Center for Educational Outreach
Baylor College of Medicine

Educator Trainer

Center for Educational Outreach
Baylor College of Medicine

Addresses

John P. McGovern Campus (Office)

2450 Holcombe Blvd., Ste. O138
Houston, TX 77021
United States

Education

MST from Rice University

Houston, Texas

Space Physics/Astronomy

BA from University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Spanish

Honors & Awards

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Texas State Finalist

The White House Office of Science and Technology

Science Education Leadership Fellow

Baylor College of Medicine

PolarTREC Teacher/Mentor

National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs, and the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States

NEW Horizons Educator Fellow (Mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

MESSENGER Educator Fellow (Mission to Mercury)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Teacher at Sea Alumnus

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Professional Statement

Reflecting on my career’s journey, I can say with conviction that I am a product of my experiences. Throughout my teaching career I have focused on challenging and inspiring students to enrich their lives through life-long learning. The process of science took center stage in my academic environment, moving learners from their comfort zone to risk-taking. My own teacher/researcher experiences have given me first-hand knowledge and enriched my classrooms with authentic science experiences that empowered my students’ learning.

On-going international partnerships with marine scientists through NSF’s PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating), ANACONDAS (Amazon Influence on the Atlantic: Carbon Export from Nitrogen Fixation by Diatom Symbioses), and SMORE (Students Monitoring Ocean Response to Eutrophication) projects, as well as participation in NOAA’s Teacher at Sea research program, have enabled me to conduct hands-on research in both Polar regions and in the Atlantic Ocean. My work with the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program further enhanced my knowledge of regional and national oceanic research, and the importance of marine stewardship in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the global oceans. Past project collaborations with Baylor, Rice University, and NASA have also provided unique opportunities for me to engage in real-time science.

As a result, my classroom environment was always filled with project-based STEM learning that transcended the classroom. Moreover, my students’ work earned them published papers at international science meetings and venues. The benefits of my research experiences have resulted in improved student interest in STEM careers and increased science content knowledge for teachers and students; research scientist appreciation for and understanding of best practices in teaching science; and expanded personal content knowledge that I could not have learned in a traditional manner.

In 2018, I joined Baylor as an instructor in the School for Health Professions and the Center for Educational Outreach, where my responsibilities include planning and conducting large-scale teacher professional development programs, mentoring K–12 students in after-school STEM clubs and designing national standards-based curriculum materials for use in classrooms. My goal is to continue to advocate for teacher and scientist collaborations to energize both in their respective fields, and to engage more students and teachers in STEM learning experiences and activities.

Websites

Selected Publications

• Garay L, Wotkyns AM, Lowry KE, Warburton J, Alderkamp A-C, and Yager PL. "ASPIRE: Teachers and researchers working together to enhance student learning." Elem. Sci Anth. 2014 Nov 14;
• Yager PL, Sherrell RM, Stammerjohn SE, Alderkamp A-C, Schofield O, Abrahamsen EP, Arrigo KR, Bertilsson S, Garay D, et al "ASPIRE: The Amundsen Sea Polynya International Research Expedition." Oceanography. 2012 Oct 2;25(3):40-53.

Memberships

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

Senior Mentor, East Region Texas; and Lead Coach, LAB RATS Robotics and Engineering

Skills

Earth/Space Science Education

Integrated Science, Engineering and Robotics

STEM Teaching and Learning