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Michael Bennett » About me...

About me...

I love science!  I mean really, how can you not love the method by which we explore and learn about the amazing world around us?  I graduated from Colorado State University with BS degrees in Biochemistry and Microbiology and then went on to earn a PhD in Microbiology (emphasis in genetics, virology, and infectious disease), also at Colorado State University.  After a few years of laboratory research in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado, I discovered I really enjoyed teaching as an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver.  The opportunity to teach at PRA is a dream job.  My goal as a high school science teacher is to pass on not only the facts about the world in which we live but also my enthusiasm and passion for learning.  I strive to show students how fascinating the world, the universe, and science can be.  In my free time I enjoy Do-It-Yourself projects around the house, playing volleyball, spending time with my wife and two children, and the many great outdoor activities that come with living in Colorado. 

In addition to teaching at PRA, I am an assistant coach for the High School Volleyball team.  GO MINERS!!!
Classes
Below is the list of classes and the periods that I will be teaching for the 2021-22 SY.  The links below will take you to a "Welcome Letter" for each class.  In it you will find an introduction/description about the class and instructions for accessing Google Classroom pages.  I have used Google Classroom to manage my classes for years (even before COVID); it is a great tool to disseminate information.  I post lesson slideshows, assignments, study guides, etc... to this management platform.  Please know that Google Classroom is for students, but if you are a parent/guardian and wish to have access to the Google classroom, please send an email request to [email protected] and I can give you non-student access.
 
 
Please email me if you or your student is having difficulty accessing my digital resources (for any reason) and we can troubleshoot the issue or figure out some sort of a solution.  
CU Succeed
PRA has partnered with the University of Colorado – Denver to pair our AP Biology course with their BIOL 2051 and BIOL 2061 courses through a program called CU Succeed. This optional program is available for students to earn college credit based on their performance during the entire semester rather than just based on their performance on the one AP Biology exam.  There is no additional coursework and all classes are taught at PRA.  If your student is interested in this program, please read through the "CU Succeed Cover Letter", the brochere, the Parent and Student Information sheet, and visit the website to learn more information about this great program.  Students must register for this course by September 20th.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.
 
Costa Rica Summer Field Trip
In the summer of 2019, five PRA students participated in our first summer field trip to Costa Rica!   The trip was a partnership with the non-profit Ecology Project International organization in which 
PRA students Erin Cull and Maddie Aberle and a baby leatherback sea turtle in Costa Rica.
our students studied sea turtle conservation and rainforest ecology.  It was an amazing trip!  I envisioned organizing these trip every two years before the pandemic hit, so it's about time to start thinking about another one.  If you/your student is interested, let me know and I'll begin organizing it for the summer of 2022.  Check out the EPI website for more information about the company and the trips they offer.