New School Year and Some Introductions

Hi all! I’m Christine Hirst Bernhardt and I am so excited about my new role as President Elect of NESTA! 

A little about me: 

I was a music major—until geology rocked my world. Two years teaching outdoor education in the mountains of Southern California gneissly showed me the power of hands-on learning and set me on the path to teaching Earth Science. In my high school classroom, I turned that passion into action, creating a transferrable Earth Science elective and later an astronomy program. My students launched over 70 high-altitude balloon experiments, partnered with NASA and university clean rooms, and even appeared in a documentary. After my 2021 Albert Einstein Fellowship, I stayed in the DC area, and completed my PhD. I am a boy mom and love all things adventure. You can usually find me mountain biking, caving or hiking. 

As President-elect, I’m excited to champion Earth Science on the national stage as a core member of the National Academies CASTL K-12 Committee.  Stay tuned for more about this effort, and how you can help!