Meet a Board Member: Ron Fabich

I was a teacher/facilitator at Brunswick High School, Brunswick, Ohio, teaching my students about Earth Science, Physical Science, Field Studies, and Environmental Issues for 37 years before retiring in June of 2009. I was an Earth Science Instructor at John Carroll University in the spring of 2007, and I've been an iDiscovery Facilitator at Miami University since the summer of 2009. I received a B.S. in Geology at Kent State University 1971, an M.S. in Earth Science Education at the University of Akron 1992, and was scuba certified by NAUI 1998.

While at Brunswick High School, I was the advisor of the Geology Society. This group went on Saturday, weekend, and Spring Break field trips across Ohio and the eastern U.S. Students studied the geologic environment as well as collecting rocks, minerals, and fossils. Destinations included Cape Cod, the Outer Banks, and Hot Springs National Park. Over 250 field trips over 37 years took students “into the field”.
An extension of the Geology Society, started in 1985, was our Field Studies Program. This was a for-credit class where students studied the geology, biology, and culture of an area for a semester, then traveled to the location for a 2-week inquiry-based field experience during the summer. Destinations included the Rocky Mountains, the American Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. The students hiked on glaciers, helicopter-ed over Mt. St. Helens, kayaked with Orcas, snorkeled coral reefs, witnessed total solar eclipses, etc. The Field Studies Program ventured on 15 trips over 22 years.

Still active in Earth Science education, I continue to serve the Earth Science community through NESTA. For the past four years I was the East-Central Regional Director. Currently, I have been appointed the ESTA Coordinator for NESTA. My goal is to have all fifty states as affiliates of our national organization. Also, I have been the president of the Ohio Earth Science Teachers Association for the past 8 years. Our organization is very active in SECO, the Science Education Council of Ohio, state affiliate of NSTA, with annual Share-a-Thons, our “Famous” Rock Raffle, field trips, etc. Finally, in my spare time, I have been on the Science Standards and Graduations Test Committees for Ohio for the last 12 years.

It was during a 6-week family vacation in 1963 that my parents showed us America. It has been my goal ever since to teach students first and secondly about the Earth System in which they live.