Cynthia L. Fong
I am an eighth grade Earth and Space Science teacher at Hilo Intermediate School in Hilo, Hawaii.
This is my fifth year of teaching secondary science, all at Hilo Intermediate. I totally love the diversity and curiosity my students have for the natural world around them. They are culturally connected to the oceans and I discovered, in order to help them become scientifically literate, I needed to meet them where they were while using what knowledge I have gained over the years.
My passion is learning all I can about earth sciences. I changed my career from a field geologist and mom to a classroom teacher and mom after I had a wonderful experience of teaching introductory geology classes at the local university. I discovered a huge need present with minimal resources available and decided I could be part of a solution to help inspire and prepare our next generation to be scientifically literate while giving back to the community at the same time like so many of my previous teachers. During this process, I also discovered underwater robotics and living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - what a fun way to explore and discover. I am getting to "relive" my childhood vicariously through my children and my students as we explore and discover the world around us!
