Faces of ACT
- Lori
- Senior Science Test Development Associate
- Elementary/Secondary Development
Hello, I'm Lori, a senior science test development associate in Elementary and Secondary School Programs of ACT's Development area. I have been employed at ACT since 1989.
I came to ACT after finishing a master's degree in Geology at the University of Iowa. Before attending graduate school, I taught Earth and physical science to 8-th and 9-th grade students at a middle school in Iowa for 10 years. While teaching, I had the privilege of representing Iowa in the competition to be the first teacher to fly on the Space Shuttle. In 2000, I completed a PhD in Geoscience that was based on research about water treatment using constructed wetlands.
My primary responsibility at ACT is preparing Earth/space science materials for the ACT, PLAN, and EXPLORE assessments. I also helped write the original version of what are now our science College Readiness Standards. I work on the curriculum survey that ACT sends out to hundreds of educators every three years. The survey allows educators to tell us what they practice in the classroom and what they think is important to prepare students for their future. I worked with Classroom Connections staff doing research on what makes certain high schools especially successful in preparing their students for college. I co-wrote instructional science units that are being used as a part of exemplary curriculum materials that ACT makes available to high schools.
In my job, I love to have the opportunity to learn new things about science, education, and assessment on a regular basis. My science colleagues are terrific to work with and each brings their own unique perspectives to our work. It is especially rewarding to work with secondary and postsecondary educators during the preparation of our test materials.
In my time away from work, I sing with a local GLBTA chorus, design and make quilts, and do photography. I also enjoy home gardening and volunteering as a Johnson County Master Gardener.