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Dancing Into Science
Dancing Into Science
Combine science and the art of dance and what you have is a melding that provides a potent learning tool for teachers and students.
Two women, sisters, one a scientist, one a professional ballet dancer, both mothers, created an innovative program to teach students science through movement, specifically, through dance.
Showing, rather than telling, has always been a highly effective method of teaching and this program educates by demonstrating scientific concepts for the students to learn by seeing and feeling science in action.
Colby Paino Snyder
Co-Creator/Curriculum Director, Board of Directors
Ms. Snyder is currently the Scientist-in-Residence at the Charlotte Lab School, a K-8 charter school in NC. She is part of a team implementing challenge-based learning courses or “quests” working with faculty on developing unique, real-world science and math content. Through innovative curriculum development, STEM concepts are taught and applied to real world problems.
Prior to joining Lab’s staff Ms. Snyder was with Maker Ed (AmeriCorps VISTA program). She was part of a team implementing Maker Education at the Lab School.
Ms. Snyder worked for over 15 years as a research physical scientist with the Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development center (ERDC) with facilities in Alaska and Vermont.
Ms. Snyder is a graduate of Lehigh University, graduating with honors in the Master’s Degree Environmental Science Program.
Ms. Snyder was selected to participate in the 2017 Google Geo Teachers Institute in Mountain View California and also presented at the 2016 South Carolina GAFE summit.
As Co-Creator of Dancing Into Science, Ms. Snyder has overseen all academic curriculum. She has not only tailored the material to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements but she has also completely adapted the lessons for use within the Common Core Curriculum.
Allisyn Paino Martin
Co-Creator/Managing Director, Board of Directors
Ms. Paino Martin danced professionally with Ballet Austin for thirteen years, originating and dancing principal roles by Artistic Director, and choreographer, Stephen Mills, including The Survivor in his internationally acclaimed work Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project. She has also danced lead roles in ballets created by George Balanchine, Dwight Rhoden, Thaddeus Davis, Twyla Tharp, Agnes DeMille and David Parsons. During her career she toured internationally to Russia, Slovenia, Italy and Canada.
Ms. Paino Martin was a nine-time nominee and two-time winner of the Austin Critic’s Table Award for Best Performance by a Female Dancer. Upon her retirement from the stage in 2009, Ms. Paino Martin became the Rehearsal Assistant/Director for Ballet Austin. Her teaching credits include the Ballet Austin Academy, Butler University and Metamorphosis Dance.
As a Co-Creator of Dancing Into Science, Ms. Paino Martin has overseen the artistic content of all Dancing Into Motion workshops and Dancing Into Education classroom lessons. Her philosophy is that while art, specifically dance, teaches invaluable life lessons, it is also an effective tool to capture young minds and promote interest in academic disciplines.
Photo credits:
Anne Marie Bloodgood, Tony Speilberg and Amitava SarkarGoogle Sites
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