:: Ohio University Southern Nature Center ::

Robert Culp, lecturer of chemistry and environmental science at OUS, is the director of the OUS Nature Center. Dr. Culp has 25 years of petroleum industry experience (13 years of international experience) and 14 years of academic experience. Dr. Culp's experience as an environmental scientist with Ashland Oil Inc and as a lecturer of chemistry and environmental sciences allows him to offer students and instructors expertise in the field. He is an advocate of environmental awareness, having supervised oil spill cleanups and having conducted research in the field of biological degradation of oil. For the OUS Science Wizard programs, Dr Culp was recipient of Huntington WV Herald-Dispatch Zack Binkley Award for Community Service in 2002.

Adam Wilson is a graduate of OUS and is currently leading a research project to remove metals from acid mine drainage. As naturalist for the OUS Nature Center, Adam brings a wealth of wilderness experience to outdoor activities and is involved in plant identification, field trip hikes, orienteering, canoeing, white water rafting, and even astronomy is Adam’s forte. Adam, the first OUS Science Wizard Assistant, has been assisting for nearly 6 years. Adam is also an instructor for the recreation classes at Ohio University Southern and has worked as a back-country ranger in Alaska.

Merri Warden has a degree in Life Sciences and is currently a Nursing student. Merri began working with Dr. Culp in November 2000. She assisted the OUS Science Wizard and became the Coordinator for the OUS Science Wizard programs in January 2001. Also in 2001 she created her own outreach presentation, “The Wonderful World of Spiders”. In 2002, she became the OUS Natural Wonders Program Coordinator and sets the schedules between the OUS Natural Wonders Outreach Programs presenters and schools. Her duties also include making the “Thank You” Packets with pictures and photo pages of the OUS Natural Wonders Outreach Programs visit to each school. In January 2003, Merri became OUS Nature Center Coordinator, where she schedules all events and fills manning tables for the events. In her spare time, Merri is a much sought after chemistry tutor.

Jan Rader, chemistry student, is a presenter for the Rock Hound program. Jan is a certified Gemologist, a 1986 graduate of Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles CA. A real treat with Jan’s programs is to watch a group of third graders break open a geode. She has an Associates Degree in Occupational Development from Marshall University. She is currently a Paramedic and has worked for the Huntington, WV Fire Department for the past eight years. She has an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and rare rocks. She is working towards a B.S. in Chemistry and has long range plans to attend medical school.

Alice Brown is a retired 4th grade teacher from the Ironton City School System. She now teaches science methods at OUS. After 34 years she is still in love with teaching. In 2004, Alice was awarded the Project Learning Trees' Environmental Educator for the State of Ohio. She headed a committee to develop an "Outdoor Learning Classroom" at the Ironton Middle School where students are taken often for hands-on learning. She has also started a Jr. Garden Club under the leadership of the Ironton Garden Club of Ironton and the "After-School Mall" program. For the last two years she has lead workshops for teachers sponsored by the Ohio University Gear Up, Project Learning Tree and iDiscovery. Mrs. Brown's hobbies are bluegrass music, reading and the great outdoors.

Rena Allen, teacher education supervisor at OUS, coordinates teacher training activities to involve OUS students and teachers from area public and parochial school districts. Mrs. Allen draws upon her experience as a classroom teacher and developer of curriculum and instruction materials to (1) provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to plan, implement and evaluate units of study dealing with environmental issues and (2) plan similar professional development activities for area teachers. The purpose of all learning activities for education majors and practicing teachers will be to increase their knowledge of science as well as facilitate the study of science in an out-of-doors setting.

Jo Huff has completed a degree in geological sciences with extensive coursework in chemistry, hazardous materials technology and organizational communication. Jo believes the natural world stimulates curiosity and discovery while provoking a long-term path of exploration and learning. "There is a beauty in the sciences that impels us into a world of amazing variety and complexity; it is our goal to encourage school children to venture down this path of exploration stimulating a spirit of adventure, curiosity and wonder."