Brian Poelker is an extraordinary science educator. He has been recognized for excellence in science education at the national level in multiple specialties. He has received the National Association of Geoscience Teachers' Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award, the Chemical Manufacturer's Association Catalyst Award, and the Geological Society of America's Award of Excellence in Earth Science Teaching. Brian is the initial recipient of the Illinois Outstanding Middle Level Science Teacher Award.

In addition to his full-time position teaching science in Green Valley, Illinois, Brian is a science education consultant for the Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Illinois State University. He served as the middle school representative on the Education Committee of the Geological Society of America, and is a regular presenter at Illinois and National Science Teachers Association conventions. Brian served as a reviewer of the National Science Education Standards and as test item writer for the Illinois Prairie State exam.

Brian was an Illinois delegate to The Teachers' Vision of the Future of Education - a Challenge to the Nation. As a result of that conference he was a member of the team that presented Telecommunications in the Classroom at the First National Teachers Summit in Miami. He also presented the activity Paper Cores at the Second International Conference on Geoscience Education in Hilo, Hawaii.

Brian's workshop will provide cutting edge activities that you can use on Monday and dynamic insights that will last a career.