Duluth Teacher Alison Wood Awarded Fulbright Fellowship for Research

Alison Wood, a dedicated science teacher at Duluth Denfeld High School, has been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program for 2026. This fellowship will enable her to conduct research in Greece for four months, focusing on innovative approaches to environmental education.

Engaging Students Through Hands-On Learning

In her classroom, Wood employs creative teaching methods that emphasize hands-on learning. Recently, her students in the natural resources class explored soil erosion using “stream tables.” These miniature landscapes allow students to see firsthand how water movement affects terrain, fostering a playful yet educational environment.

“There’s a whole opportunity to approach education with playfulness, while keeping with the idea of effective learning,” Wood stated. This interactive style has made her a favorite among students, as expressed by senior Garry Hendrickson: “It’s never boring or just the same old, same old.”

With over 30 years of teaching experience, Wood has made significant contributions to environmental education at Denfeld. Her curriculum often includes outdoor excursions, such as birding trips to Hawk Ridge and water sampling at Merritt Creek. These activities not only enhance learning but also encourage students to engage with their environment.

Research Focus in Greece

Starting in January 2026, Wood will immerse herself in Greek educational practices, particularly the implementation of “citizen science.” This approach involves students collecting data through observation and analysis, fostering a deeper connection to scientific inquiry. “If we want kids to actually make decisions where they care about our spaces, we have to get them connected first,” she explained.

During her time in Greece, Wood plans to collaborate with experts at the University of Athens to study how outdoor data collection is integrated into the curriculum. She aims to identify effective methodologies for incorporating citizen science into U.S. classrooms. “There’s a million flavors” of citizen science, she noted, highlighting the diverse opportunities for students to engage with real-world data.

Wood’s journey to this fellowship has been rigorous, involving extensive preparation and proposal writing. She expressed her amazement at being one of only 14 K-12 educators selected for this honor. “It’s been just this crazy process,” she said, reflecting on her interactions with mentors and fellow educators throughout the application process.

As she prepares for her overseas research, Wood acknowledges the challenges and excitement that lie ahead. “There are things I won’t know until I get over there, so it’s exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.”

Through her research, Wood aims to develop educational tools and sample lessons that can be shared with teachers across various subjects and grade levels. She plans to conduct professional development sessions for Duluth Public Schools faculty upon her return, ensuring her findings benefit the broader educational community.

Despite her absence from the classroom next semester, Wood is committed to maintaining connections with her students. She intends to share her experiences and research findings through social media, keeping them engaged with her journey. “I’m definitely going to miss the students,” she said, expressing both excitement and nervousness about her upcoming adventure.

Wood’s work exemplifies the potential for educators to inspire and connect students with the natural world. By integrating citizen science into learning, she hopes to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals who are equipped to make informed decisions about their surroundings.