Luke McDermott
My name is Luke McDermott. I am from West Chester, Pennsylvania, not far from Philadelphia. I am currently in my third year at Penn State studying Chemistry, but I have eighth semester credit standing. I hope to use this advanced standing to get a Bachelor's in Education along with my Chemistry degree. In high school, my chemistry teacher had a huge impact on me and helped me straighten out both my personal life and academic goals. I would like to teach students about the exciting science of chemistry and help them build their futures the way my teacher taught and helped me. This past summer, I participated as a teaching assistant in the Upward Bound Math and Science Program, a program for underprivileged high school students interested in science. My summer also included research with Dr. Katie Masters on a project to create laboratory curriculum for Penn State courses. In fall of 2008, I will be studying at Philipps-Universität in Marburg, Germany, a top-tier German chemistry university. I hope this experience will help me in showing future students how exciting and practical chemistry can be.

Sarah Strass
I am currently completing my final semester at Penn State University. In December 2008, I will receive my B.S. in Chemistry, minor in Spanish, and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. My honors thesis and masters research involved a qualitative study of young women's perspectives on science during an inquiry-style science camp. This semester, I am student teaching in chemistry at Altoona Area High School to obtain my Pennsylvania teaching certificate. After graduation, I plan to seek a high school chemistry teaching position. I hope to be the passionate (if a little nerdy) science teacher who sparks students' interest in the field and gives them opportunities to be curious and investigative. In the longer term, I hope to see real changes in the way science education is done in this country. I hope to be a part of the movement away from rote learning, toward an emphasis on scientific inquiry and analytical thinking skills. I would love to implement more relevant curricula, incorporating traditional science lessons in more modern, applicable contexts. Scientific innovation is the key to our future, and I hope to educate citizens who will appreciate and understand its part in society.

Megan Kolarz
My name is Megan Kolarz and I am currently a sophomore at Penn State University. I grew up in Gilbertsville, which is approximately an hour outside of Philadelphia. I went to Boyertown Area Senior High School and graduated in the top 20 of my class. In high school I took AP chemistry and scored high enough to test out of general chemistry courses, so, I started my freshman year in organic chemistry. In the summer of 2007 I was a teaching assistant for Dr. Jackie Bortiatynski in the Upward Bound Math and Science Program. I am currently enrolled in junior level chemistry courses adn plan to pursue my masters in education upon completion of my B.S. degree in Chemistry.

Carolyn McGinty
Carolyn McGinty was born on January 29, 1986 in Pittston, Pennsylvania. She was the oldest of four children, a brother and two sisters. She attended high school at Pittson Area High, where she sang the National Anthem for graduation. After high school, she attended Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre campus. She was a student mentor for Student Support Services as well as participating as an orientation leader for the class of 2005. From there she transferred to University Park Campus where she studies chemistry and does research with Dr. Katherine Masters that pertains to chemical education. She is also the current treasurer of the Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry fraternity. her hobbies include singing, playing guitar, and telling jokes. She hopes to teach high school science after she receives her M.Ed.