ulia H. Cothron, Executive Director of the Center, leads the Mystery Cargo team. Dr. Cothron has extensive experience in designing and implementing educational programs for K-12 students and teachers. She brings a strong academic background in biology and chemistry and an understanding of scientific research, as well as a proven ability to lead teams to implement multiyear initiatives. Prior to becoming the Center's Executive Director, Dr. Cothron taught middle and high school science, supervised K-12 science programs, and directed middle and senior high schools. She is the co-author of four books and more than 30 articles in professional journals. Since 2002, she has focused her creative and leadership skills upon moving the Center into design and delivery of Web-based programs and has served as project leader for SpiderRoom.info and MathInScience.info. Dr. Cothron developed chemistry-related components of the Mystery Cargo site including solutions, layering water, and identifying liquids. Dr. Cothron has a B.S. and M.Ed. in Biology from Valdosta State University and a doctorate in science education from the University of Virginia.

egan Anderson, Elementary and Middle School Educator, is an experienced upper elementary and middle school teacher of math and science. Mrs. Anderson has a B.S. from the College of William and Mary and extensive coursework in mathematics. As part of MathInScience.info she wrote lessons on electricity and light. Mrs. Anderson developed oil-related components of the Mystery Cargo site including size of oil slicks.

im Beasley, Educator for Physical Sciences, has degrees in physics and math. Before his retirement, Mr. Beasley worked with Lockheed Martin. His experiences include using seismology to search for offshore oil and designing components of the Magellan spacecraft. As part of MathInScience.info, Mr. Beasley has developed student lessons on using an ALTA reflectance spectrometer to investigate physical and earth science phenomena. Mr. Beasley developed physics related components of Mystery Cargo including measuring salinity using computers to model oil spills, and various applications of sonar including locating a missing container and underwater mapping. Mr. Beasley has a M.A. degree from Steven F. Austin State University with concentrations in physics and mathematics.

hris Lundberg, Coordinator of the Biology, Environmental and Earth Sciences Team, has degrees in biology and gifted education and brings extensive experience in instructional design and leadership. Mr. Lundberg was extensively involved in the development of SpiderRoom.info and leads development of the environmental research components of the Mystery Cargo site including the impact of weather on salinity and effective methods for cleaning up oil spills. Mr. Lundberg has developed numerous Web-based lessons for MathInScience.info on topics ranging from drifting plankton to bats to experimental design. Mr. Lundberg has a B.S. in Biology from Randolph Macon College and a M.Ed. in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia.

ebecca Pittman, Educator for Chemistry and Integrated Sciences, has extensive experience as an industrial chemist and teacher of high school chemistry. Mrs. Pittman has developed numerous lessons on MathInScience.info on using various analytic instruments including gas chromatographs, flurometers, Spec 20’s and the ALTA reflectance spectrophotometer. Mrs. Pittman developed chemistry related components of the Mystery Cargo site including sections on types of mixtures, the interaction of water with various substances and common oils found in homes and businesses. Mrs. Pittman has a B.S. in Chemistry from North Carolina Wesleyan College and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech.

orbert Hamm, Specialist for Graphics, Facilities & Web Programs, designed all physical facilities at the Center and has recently applied his creative skills to the design of three of the Center's websites: msinnovation.info, MathInScience.info and SpiderRoom.info. Mr. Hamm created many of the visuals throughout the Mystery Cargo site including ESI maps and sonar charts as well as taking all photographs, which are not otherwise credited. Mr. Hamm has a B.A. in Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University.

eorgia Terwilliger, Consultant, is a proven environmental educator with a background in forestry and extensive experience in teaching field programs for elementary students with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Mrs. Terwilliger developed components related to the use of Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps and the impact of oil on living organisms. Mrs. Terwilliger has a B.S. in Forestry from Virginia Tech.

artha Vogel, Associate Educator, has a degree in biology and brings an interest in the environment and student research. Mrs. Vogel developed lessons for MathinScience.info related to alien species, bats and various organisms found in the Chesapeake Bay. Mrs. Vogel developed the component dealing with the impact of weather on salinity. Mrs. Vogel has a B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College.


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