Melanie Reap has a background in science education and agricultural education. She taught middle and high school science and agriculture for 5 years in a remote western Texas district. She has an MS in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M and received her PhD in Science Education from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Reap is an Associate Professor of Education at Winona State University. She teaches in both the elementary education program and the science education program. Dr. Reap participated in the creation of the 2003 Minnesota Academic Standards in Science, serving on the Earth and Space Science subcommittee and on the final writing committee.

      The photo here is of Melanie's dog, Pyrite, a trained therapy dog. Pyrite and Melanie visit schools, nursing homes and care centers around Winona, Minnesota. They are a 21st century example of the evolving relationship between humans and animals.

      To explain why she's involved with Minnesota Citizens for Science Education, Dr. Reap directs readers to "A Brief History of the Minnesota State Academic Standards in Science" which she co-authored with MnCSE Director Jamie Crannell for the Panda's Thumb. Click here to see the article.