“ Connect with nature every day, you get smarter in every way ”
Dr. Cindy Smith is an award-winning educator and environmental scientist. She has dedicated her 25+ year career to making knotty ecological problems easier to understand and fun to study. She leads K12 and Community outreach efforts at George Mason University’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, develops curriculum, fund raises and trains students to translate complex research into eye-opening, engaging experiences. A talented and creative problem solver, working across multiple public and private stakeholders on environmental policy and programs. Her nature photography, wit and wisdom consistently bring smiles to live and online audiences. (happy birch tree pic near here)
During COVID times, as an Associate Professor in Mason’s Environmental Science and Policy department, she successfully transitioned outdoor remote lab activities into exceptionally effective learning experiences by providing students tools, virtual training and the creative spark to stimulate their critical thinking and problem-solving skill sets.
“Cindy is like McGyver, but with insects and twigs!”
“I’m impressed with Cindy’s ability to command the attention of students andcommunity members. Her presentation style captivates attention and creates an open learning environment where everyone regardless of group size has the opportunity to fully participate. While hiking through a wetland for example, I watched Cindy locate a mass of toad eggs and spontaneously create the most riveting and memorable lesson, right on-the spot.
–Kim Hosen, Executive Director,Prince William Conservation Alliance
Nature Everyday
Virtual learning is great, but getting outdoors to see, touch and listen to nature is by far the best way to experience the natural world. Studies have shown that connecting with nature increases feelings of happiness, self esteem, and a sense of peacefulness. Connecting children with nature increases their self esteem, resilience against stress as well as improves concentration, creativity and cognitive development. For me, being out in nature, listening to bird chatter, bees humming, waves rolling or wind ruffling leaves transports me to a calming space. Nature continues, regardless of what is occurring in the human-built world. (put in quote box) Frank Lloyd Wright said: Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. “The woods were my Ritalin. Nature calmed me, focused me, and yet excited my senses.” ― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
I am often asked to share my experiences to help parents, teachers and young people see easy ways that they too can connect with the outdoors. If educators or kids are questioning the how and why …. That means they are indeed engaged.
“ Connect with nature every day, you get smarter in every way ”
Her contagious curiosity invites others to see the world through her eyes, she finds unique and creative ways to connect others to the natural world.
Connecting kids to STEM early broadens career awareness. These cat and horse-loving 2nd and 3rd graders, mentored by Dr. Smith, matured to become an Cybersecurity Analyst, a medical school resident and a Wall Street financial analyst.