I’m Debby Jacobson and I’ve taught Honors Biology here at Meadowdale
Middle and am currently teaching 8th grade physical science. Dr. Sagan is
one of my heroes. He was a wonderful scientist with a great interest in Mars.
But what he is best remembered for is a television series called Cosmos where
he brought the sometimes difficult topic of astronomy into the living rooms
of Americans and made it exciting and easy to understand. I hope that my own
students will catch a little of that curiosity and wonder that Dr. Sagan had
as he presented his topics as they learn not only about astronomy but also
about motion, basic chemistry, and about their planet.
I never planned on being a teacher. I earned a B.S. degree in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University and then a B.S. degree in medical technology from the University of Washington. I worked in a research laboratory and I enjoyed the challenge and the diversity it brought. When my own children were old enough, they enrolled in a parent cooperative elementary school and I had to go too so I usually ended up teaching science; I found out how much I loved working with the children. In fact, I loved it so much, I went back to school and got a M.A. in education and my teaching credentials and here I am. The great thing about teaching is no two days are the same and the rewards that the students bring to you when you see that they really understand something is the greatest feeling in the world.
I believe in helping students get involved in real-life research, so for the last 7 years we have been involved with a project called GAVRT, or the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope project. We remotely operate a 34 meter radio telescope and collect data in conjunction with an investigator at the Jet Propulsion Lab. We have been involved in mapping the landing sites of one of the Mars rovers, we monitored the descent of the Huygens probe through the atmosphere of Titan, and we have looked at the edge of a black hole.There is a new investigation starting soon that will involve some work on the Moon.These sessions always occur outside of school hours, but they are great opportunities for budding researchers!
My daughter and I love applied physics and try to ride the biggest
roller coasters; my son tends to have a weak stomach! We are owned by a very
possessive St. Bernard, Sam!