Current Resume

LAURA JEAN CHECKI
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
lv2008@caa.columbia.edu

Website: laurachecki.com

CAREER HISTORY:

March 2019 to Present

County of Bergen Department of Health Services; Hackensack, NJ
Environmental Specialist Educational Programs

  • Develop curricula for diversified audiences (pre-K-Gray).
  • Prepare and conduct teacher workshops and training seminars.
  • Create and disseminate trainings as required by the County such as Right to Know, Coronavirus awareness & virus disinfecting methods, and Adopt Don’t Shop.
  • Modify educational materials and instructional programs to adhere to the principles of Universal Instructional Design (UID) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
  • Represent several environmental programs such as Clean Communities, lead, entomology, and animal shelter issues at events across the County and state.
  • Present specialized public enrichment programs on the natural and physical sciences.
  • Assist in the development and dissemination of publications.
  • Utilize photographic supplies and audio-visual equipment in the course of official duties.
  • Assign and supervise the work of other employees.
  • Conducting arbovirus vector research survey in partnership with Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital, and Montclair State University resulting in the discovery of new tick species to the County.
  • Consultant to the re-occupancy team regarding Coronavirus and CoViD-19 general awareness, disinfecting, and public awareness materials.
  • Functioned as a Pod Coordinator at the Bergen County vaccination clinic during the pandemic.
  • Evaluated and reported on technologies that eradicate pathogens for installation in County buildings.

September 2017 to March 2019

County of Bergen Department of Parks; Hackensack, NJ
to March 2019 Principal Park Naturalist

  • Evaluated the quality of programs and interpretive activities and implemented changes as required.
  • Created promotional materials for the public outlining County programs.
  • Developed and executed science-based programming for the parks, schools, field trip sites, and community centers.
  • Prepared clear, sound, accurate, and informative narrative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
  • Implemented and developed cross curriculum educational programs for students from elementary, middle, and high school.
  • Modified parks programs to accommodate individuals with disabilities utilizing Universal Instructional Design (UID) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) principles.
  • Conducted field research of natural areas and submitted recommendations concerning the use of natural resources for program purposes.
  • Identified teacher’s needs and developed lesson plans.

April 2011 to September 2017

Buehler Challenger & Science Center; Paramus, NJ
Mission Commander/Accessibility Specialist

  • Responsible for flying simulated space missions with school groups.
  • Created and presented teacher professional development workshops.
  • Developed and presented Universal Instructional Design (UID) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) focused lesson plans, products, and teacher development workshops.
  • Organized and provided activities for family science programs.
  • Facilitated summer camps and developed new initiatives.
  • Created the award-winning “No Star Out Of Reach” program which delivers space science programming to adults with disabilities.
  • Awarded the Challenger Headquarters Innovation Award for the “No Star Out Of Reach” program.

October 2007 to December 2011

Meadowlands Environment Center; Lyndhurst, NJ
Astronomy/Environmental Educator/Observatory Specialist

  • Designed and executed astronomy and environmental focused public outreach programs.
  • Implemented and developed educational programs for students from elementary, middle, and high school.
  • Established and managed astronomy education.
  • Facilitated teacher-training workshops including STARLAB training.
  • Modified astronomy programs to accommodate individuals with disabilities utilizing the principles of Universal Instructional Design (UID) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
  • Created and provided instruction for new G&T astronomy and environmental convocations.
  • Operated the telescope and addressed the public during open house sessions.
  • Authored operating procedures for the Observatory equipment.
  • Trained personnel on telescope operating procedures.
  • Provided support and mentoring to Ramapo College of New Jersey Co-op, education majors and hourly student employees.
  • Supervised Observatory volunteers

EDUCATION:

May 2024

Montclair State University; Montclair, NJ

Master’s of Science degree in Biology, Ecology, and Evolution.

  • Master’s Thesis: Ticks of Northern NJ and Their Host Species.

May 2006

Columbia University; New York, NY

Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Biology, Ecology, & Evolution (E3B)

  • Senior Thesis: Enrichment Program Implementation to Modify Stereotypic Behavior of Captive Polar Bears at the Central Park Zoo.

  • Independent Study: Investigation of invasive species in the re-population of forests in New York City and New Jersey in the wake of the Chestnut Blight.

May 2001

Bergen Community College; Paramus, NJ

Associate of Science degree in General Science
Phi Theta Kappa honor society member

VOLUNTEER AND CONTRACTOR DETAILS:

November 2023 to Present

The Explorers Club, New York City, NY
Voting Member/Collaborator/Accessibility Specialist

February 2020 to Present

Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT), GSFC, Maryland
Collaborator/Accessibility Specialist

  • Provide accessibility training to the HEAT community.
  • Create and facilitate training sessions regarding IDEA and Universal Instructional Design (UID).
  • Member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) cluster.

June 2017 to Present

Variance Board, Township of Lyndhurst –  Voting Member

  • Review applications from residents regarding structural changes to buildings.
  • Meet once a month to vote on the variances that are being proposed by the residents to their dwellings.
  • Provide disability awareness consultation.

January 2003 to Present

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena, CA
Solar System Ambassador and Master Teacher

  • Create presentations that disseminate information regarding NASA Spinoffs and missions to the public.
  • Construct and present lectures regarding NASA’s current and future robotic and manned missions to space.
  • Answer questions from the public related to science and and NASA.
  • Attend space related events and engage in outreach activities with visitors.
  • Represent NASA/JPL at national and international conferences.
  • Inspire the next generation of explorers by attending career and space day events.
  • Develop and conduct professional development programs for formal and informal educators focusing on DEIA and Universal Instructional Design.
  • Train NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors & Master Teachers regarding accessibility and missions when requested.
  • Respond to public inquiries following established NASA
  • Certified by NASA to borrow and transport lunar samples.
  • Conduct teacher professional development workshops resulting in participants becoming certified to borrow and transport lunar samples.

January 2000 to Present

American Museum of Natural History; New York, NY
Earth and Space Explainer/Hayden Planetarium Lecturer (Contractor)

  • Conduct tours through earth and space exhibits.
  • Demonstrate and explain scientific principles to visitors.
  • Answer museum and science related questions from visitors.
  • Support scientific panel prior to and after the Isaac Asimov debate.
  • Perform stage management duties for Isaac Asimov debate.
  • Create and present lectures in Hayden Planetarium and the Hall of the Universe (Contractor).
  • Speaker concierge to visiting luminaries.
  • Participate in public outreach programs such as Space fest.
  • Assisted the volunteer department in creating a customer service manual.
  • Awarded astrophysics volunteer of the year for 2013.