I became Mrs. Schultz on New Year’s Eve of 2013; my maiden name was Ms. Martinez.  I started my lifelong journey in California (that’s where I was born!)  My father was in the Marine Corps, therefore, I have lived in many different cities across America.   My parents moved to North Carolina when I was in high school.  After I graduated high school, I attended and graduated from East Carolina University (Go Pirates!)  I am certified to teach science and social studies to grades 6 – 9.  Next month, I will begin my sixth year teaching 7th grade science.  I am currently teaching at Moore Square Middle School in downtown Raleigh.

This summer, I began participating in an amazing opportunity that I earned; a year long Kenan Fellowship in the Citizen Science: Students Discover project.   From this experience, Fellows create innovative lessons for students and professional development workshops for their colleagues.  Team Ants is very ambitious!  Not only do we want to create detailed lesson plans that utilize our research.; w   e want to create an extended, cross-curricular plan to implement.

Today, we extracted hemolymph from Carpenter Ants (Genus Camponotus).  Some animals, like ants, have open circulatory systems which means their blood flows freely through their body cavity to carry nutrients to their cells. They don’t have veins or arteries for their blood to flow through like we do.  We collected some today and handed it over to Deanna’s under-grad students to analyze in their lab on NC State’s campus.  What will they find?!  We hope to see tomorrow!