Chris Thomas

• Master in Technical and Scientific Communication; Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
• Masters in Science (Geology), Vanderbilt University
• Bachelors in Science (Geology/Communication); Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pennnsylvania)

Positions

• Coordinator, NCSSM Online (2007-present)
• Lecturer in Earth Sciences, Indiana University (2004-2007)
• Software Technical Writer, Northrop Grumman (2002-2004)

Summary

Chris is the Coordinator of NCSSM Online program at NCSSM; one of the few online programs in the country targeted at gifted learners and the only one that is public and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) focused.  He also teaches earth science courses.

In addition to being Coordinator, Chris teaches the Green Environmental Geology course and also has taught the miniterm Cave Systems and Field Geology. His masters in science and undergraduate research project involved rocks exposed in Clay and Macon counties, North Carolina.

Prior to NCSSM, Chris was a Lecturer in Earth Science at Indiana University (IUPUI).   His earth science research interests are in igneous and metamorphic petrology in the Southern Appalachians; he has previously researched the geochronology and geochemistry of igneous and metamorphic rocks (mafic and ultramafic variety). At IUPUI, his focus has been on geoscience education and creating online labs, online science courses, and instructional technology for the geosciences.  These courses continue to be taught at IUPUI.

He has previously taught as an instructor at the Dept. of English at Miami University and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University.  He also worked in industry as a software technical writer.