NISSSC - Center for STEM Education and PIPES
CSTEME Staff
Dr. Gene Abrams
Principal Investigator, Partnership for Innovative Preparation of Educators and Students (PIPES)
Professor of Mathematics
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Dr. Abrams has been a faculty member of UCCS since 1983. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego and then went onto obtain his M.S. and Ph.D. from the
University of Oregon in Eugene. Among the recognition Dr. Abrams has received are:
As the principal investigator for the PIPES program, he brings his vision and guidance to making a sustainable and positive impact on school children and their teachers in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
Dave Khaliqi
Director, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Dave Khaliqi came to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs from Academy School District 20, where he taught secondary science for eight years at the Classical Academy. Dave had the pleasure of being THE science department for several years at the then small charter school. In this position, Dave designed the entire science curriculum from seventh grade to twelfth grade, using inquiry science teaching methods, Socratic questioning, and other classical education strategies.
Before the Classical Academy, Dave lived and taught in South America, western rural Colorado, and Fort Collins, racking up twelve years in secondary science education, during which he also earned his MA in Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. His primary passion in education is teaching students how to explore the natural world through scientific questioning, then to have fun answering those questions. From designing and building working hovercrafts to spending extended field trips in Rocky Mountain National Park, the point of Dave's teaching is to give students the opportunity to ask and answer the critical questions in science through inquiry and experimentation. Using these methods, Dave was awarded the Classical Academy Teacher of the Year in 2001, the Colorado Charter School Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2005, and a Rivers First Distinguished Environmental Educator award in 2006.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Program Manager/Events Coordinator, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Kathleen Fitzpatrick has a lengthy background as an engineer and leader in industry, but her passion has always been promoting the STEM message for the next generation. Her formal education and industry experience has been in Industrial engineering and engineering management with over 15 years experience managing technical and non-profit organizations, including over 10 years at Hewlett Packard Company. Kathleen also ran her own process engineering consulting firm during which she was invited to join a Leadership delegation as a Citizen Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine. As part of that delegation, she advised business school and civic leaders about developing market driven competencies in the post-soviet business leadership.
After her twin daughters were born, Kathleen's focus turned to pursuing her passion to pass along the STEM torch more actively. Prior to coming to UCCS, she was the President of the inaugural community building organization at new Discovery Canyon Campus (DCC), a Math and Science-focused International Baccalaureate K-12 school in Colorado Springs' Academy School District 20. As part of her involvement, she introduced DCC to the "Engineering is Elementary" Curriculum, which introduces K-5 kids to different fields of engineering using literacy and hands-on science. As a Robotics instructor, she created and taught a Design of Robotics summer school curriculum for 4th and 5th graders and coached several award-winning middle school all-girl LEGO robotics teams.
Kathleen has also been a volunteer for "Girls Count", a non-profit based in Denver, CO where she was a highly sought-after public speaker; educating various parent, community and business organizations on how to encourage young women to pursue careers in math, science and technology. She also contributed to Governor Romer's Math, Science and Technology Education Commission for the State of Colorado.
Kathleen was in the first class of women at Claremont McKenna (Men's) College graduating with a BA in Management Engineering. She also received a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University.
She currently volunteers for the Cool Science organization, The Colorado Springs Science Center Project and the Global View Foundation (Earthseeds Foundation and Colorado Springs SusBus).
Donah Grassman
Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
As a former homeschool mom, one of Donah Grassman's goal for her sons was that they would grow to be lifelong learners. It turns out that she holds that goal herself, along with an aspiration to be a lifelong educator. She is currently an undergraduate student at UCCS with an eye toward a Ph.D. in Literature, and a doctoral minor in Anthropology as steps toward a deeper understanding of Ancient Near Eastern people and their mythologies. She thinks we make decisions according to the stories we've internalized. Her story is that as the Program Coordinator for PIPES, she is playing a supporting character role for Dave and Kathleen, and for all the educators and students involved in the PIPES program.
The back-story that prepared her for this role involves vignettes thematically un-centered on problem solving, red-tape handling, contract law, teaching, electronics, programming, psychology, desktop publishing, and administrative support; in varied settings from homesteading beyond the electricity in Northern California to religious education under the Arctic Circle, from coordinating an international ministry's events in India, to supporting military personnel from sea to shining sea. Most recently she is getting to know and love the people at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs as she learns to jump through hoops held up by representatives administering Federal, State, and Higher Education policies and procedures.
Vicki Taylor
Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Vicki Taylor graduated from the University of California with a B.S. in Computer Science and went on to work for 10 years at Northrup Grumman (formally known as Aerojet ElectroSystems) on sensor and satellite programs. She led teams of engineers to design on board processing algorithms, test software and marketing simulations. When her children were born, she decided to become at stay-at-home Mom.
After a short time, Vicki became involved in the local elementary school Parent Teacher Organization. After leading fundraising efforts, she became a member of a Long Range Capital Expenditure planning committee for the school district. That led to her chairing the committee to pass a $163 million bond issue to build new schools and make necessary updates to existing schools in 2001. In 2003, she was elected to serve on the school board. She is still serving until November 2011. She has held the position of President and Treasurer. Vicki has a passion for public education and students K-12. She is excited about offering new STEM learning opportunities to get students excited about their future and what possibilities that may hold for them.
Lisa Decker
Professional Research Assistant, PIPES, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Lisa graduated from UCCS in 1993 with a M.A. in Psychology. As a native of Colorado, Lisa has lived and worked in the Pikes Peak Region throughout her life. She has enjoyed working in the schools and with K-12 students her entire career. She also brings her expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation of complex research models to our PIPES programs. Lisa is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and maintains her private practice in the community.
Dr. Gene Abrams
Principal Investigator, Partnership for Innovative Preparation of Educators and Students (PIPES)
Professor of Mathematics
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS)
Dr. Abrams has been a faculty member of UCCS since 1983. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego and then went onto obtain his M.S. and Ph.D. from the
University of Oregon in Eugene. Among the recognition Dr. Abrams has received are:
- 2002 Burton W. Jones Annual Award for Distinguished Teaching, Rocky Mountain Section of the American Mathematical Society.
- Member of the CU - Colorado Springs Department of Mathematics; Department was designated as a Meritorious Unit by the campus in May 2001.
- President's Teaching Scholar, University of Colorado system-wide award, May 1996. Lifetime designation.
- 1988 Outstanding Teaching Award, UCCS campus-wide award, selected by the UCCS Teaching Awards Committee, presented by the UCCS Alumni and Friends Association.
- 1985 Teacher of the Year, presented by Eta Kappa Nu (UCCS engineering honor society).
As the principal investigator for the PIPES program, he brings his vision and guidance to making a sustainable and positive impact on school children and their teachers in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
Dave Khaliqi
Director, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Dave Khaliqi came to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs from Academy School District 20, where he taught secondary science for eight years at the Classical Academy. Dave had the pleasure of being THE science department for several years at the then small charter school. In this position, Dave designed the entire science curriculum from seventh grade to twelfth grade, using inquiry science teaching methods, Socratic questioning, and other classical education strategies.
Before the Classical Academy, Dave lived and taught in South America, western rural Colorado, and Fort Collins, racking up twelve years in secondary science education, during which he also earned his MA in Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. His primary passion in education is teaching students how to explore the natural world through scientific questioning, then to have fun answering those questions. From designing and building working hovercrafts to spending extended field trips in Rocky Mountain National Park, the point of Dave's teaching is to give students the opportunity to ask and answer the critical questions in science through inquiry and experimentation. Using these methods, Dave was awarded the Classical Academy Teacher of the Year in 2001, the Colorado Charter School Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2005, and a Rivers First Distinguished Environmental Educator award in 2006.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Program Manager/Events Coordinator, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Kathleen Fitzpatrick has a lengthy background as an engineer and leader in industry, but her passion has always been promoting the STEM message for the next generation. Her formal education and industry experience has been in Industrial engineering and engineering management with over 15 years experience managing technical and non-profit organizations, including over 10 years at Hewlett Packard Company. Kathleen also ran her own process engineering consulting firm during which she was invited to join a Leadership delegation as a Citizen Ambassador to Russia and Ukraine. As part of that delegation, she advised business school and civic leaders about developing market driven competencies in the post-soviet business leadership.
After her twin daughters were born, Kathleen's focus turned to pursuing her passion to pass along the STEM torch more actively. Prior to coming to UCCS, she was the President of the inaugural community building organization at new Discovery Canyon Campus (DCC), a Math and Science-focused International Baccalaureate K-12 school in Colorado Springs' Academy School District 20. As part of her involvement, she introduced DCC to the "Engineering is Elementary" Curriculum, which introduces K-5 kids to different fields of engineering using literacy and hands-on science. As a Robotics instructor, she created and taught a Design of Robotics summer school curriculum for 4th and 5th graders and coached several award-winning middle school all-girl LEGO robotics teams.
Kathleen has also been a volunteer for "Girls Count", a non-profit based in Denver, CO where she was a highly sought-after public speaker; educating various parent, community and business organizations on how to encourage young women to pursue careers in math, science and technology. She also contributed to Governor Romer's Math, Science and Technology Education Commission for the State of Colorado.
Kathleen was in the first class of women at Claremont McKenna (Men's) College graduating with a BA in Management Engineering. She also received a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University.
She currently volunteers for the Cool Science organization, The Colorado Springs Science Center Project and the Global View Foundation (Earthseeds Foundation and Colorado Springs SusBus).
Donah Grassman
Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
As a former homeschool mom, one of Donah Grassman's goal for her sons was that they would grow to be lifelong learners. It turns out that she holds that goal herself, along with an aspiration to be a lifelong educator. She is currently an undergraduate student at UCCS with an eye toward a Ph.D. in Literature, and a doctoral minor in Anthropology as steps toward a deeper understanding of Ancient Near Eastern people and their mythologies. She thinks we make decisions according to the stories we've internalized. Her story is that as the Program Coordinator for PIPES, she is playing a supporting character role for Dave and Kathleen, and for all the educators and students involved in the PIPES program.
The back-story that prepared her for this role involves vignettes thematically un-centered on problem solving, red-tape handling, contract law, teaching, electronics, programming, psychology, desktop publishing, and administrative support; in varied settings from homesteading beyond the electricity in Northern California to religious education under the Arctic Circle, from coordinating an international ministry's events in India, to supporting military personnel from sea to shining sea. Most recently she is getting to know and love the people at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs as she learns to jump through hoops held up by representatives administering Federal, State, and Higher Education policies and procedures.
Vicki Taylor
Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Vicki Taylor graduated from the University of California with a B.S. in Computer Science and went on to work for 10 years at Northrup Grumman (formally known as Aerojet ElectroSystems) on sensor and satellite programs. She led teams of engineers to design on board processing algorithms, test software and marketing simulations. When her children were born, she decided to become at stay-at-home Mom.
After a short time, Vicki became involved in the local elementary school Parent Teacher Organization. After leading fundraising efforts, she became a member of a Long Range Capital Expenditure planning committee for the school district. That led to her chairing the committee to pass a $163 million bond issue to build new schools and make necessary updates to existing schools in 2001. In 2003, she was elected to serve on the school board. She is still serving until November 2011. She has held the position of President and Treasurer. Vicki has a passion for public education and students K-12. She is excited about offering new STEM learning opportunities to get students excited about their future and what possibilities that may hold for them.
Lisa Decker
Professional Research Assistant, PIPES, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Lisa graduated from UCCS in 1993 with a M.A. in Psychology. As a native of Colorado, Lisa has lived and worked in the Pikes Peak Region throughout her life. She has enjoyed working in the schools and with K-12 students her entire career. She also brings her expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation of complex research models to our PIPES programs. Lisa is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and maintains her private practice in the community.
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