Melanie’s Big Idea:
Invite students to investigate how the Mississippi River has changed over time. By collecting and analyzing water samples, students identify the chemical factors that influence the river’s current health. Students in partner classrooms across other states conduct similar investigations of their own local water sources, then collaborate to compare findings from rivers across the country. Using historical data from the Mississippi River, students track changes in water quality indicators over time. To bring their data to life, they translate their findings into painted pictographs—using art to visually represent scientific evidence.
Interesting Facts:
Melanie has received many awards throughout her teaching career including Bentonia-Gibbs Teacher of the Year, Yazoo County Middle School Teacher of the Year (twice), Yazoo County School District Teacher of the Year, Yazoo Herald Middle School Teacher of the Year (three times), and Mississippi Conservation Education Teacher of the Year. She currently serves on the State Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council, and is a member of the Mississippi Science Teaching Association.