MMSA Title: Website Specialist
Hometown: Hallowell, Maine
Education: B.S. Communication, Boston University; M.A. English, University of Arkansas
What is your teaching/learning philosophy: Creativity is key to the learning process. Intrinsic motivation by definition cannot be compelled, but it can be cultivated. Participatory, open-ended opportunities to learn about a subject can inspire broader, deeper, and longer-lasting engagement.
What is your STEM passion area: As a longtime student of the humanities, I’ve gravitated toward video game development as a way to holistically engage with the world around us. In a pedagogical setting, video game development is most often used to teach programming languages, but games themselves can also be used to teach natural languages, design, and technical artistry, as well as to simulate phenomena and combine elements of the virtual and real worlds using cross-reality technologies for a multitude of use cases. Because games are designed to be playful and incorporate many different subject areas, they provide less-intimidating sites for learning that also have the potential to expand and deepen over time as interest and competency grow.
What do you like most about your role at MMSA: I appreciate having the opportunity to contribute my time and skills to an organization whose mission aligns with my values.
What did you do before you worked at MMSA: I was a graduate student immediately prior to joining MMSA, and before that I worked in a number of different roles and fields, including higher education.
What do you like to do in your free time: I enjoy writing, playing music, and collaborating on creative projects, including video games and artist publications.
Pronouns: he, him, his
Email: all emails are first initial last name at mmsa.org
