People

Melon Sandbox is a hilarious and chaotic physics-based sandbox game that lets your imagination run wild. Think of it like a digital playground where you can experiment with all kinds of funny (and sometimes ridiculous) scenarios. You get to place characters, props, weapons, and objects into a blank world — and then do whatever you want with them. Want to build a giant rollercoaster and launch melons from it? Go ahead. Want to attach rockets to a character and watch them fly? Totally possible. The best part is that there are no rules and no missions — just pure, silly freedom.

Hello, My name is Natalie Simmons I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. I am a Sign Language Intepreter in Cleveland Metro School District. I've been signing for 10+ years but I've been an intepreter in the classroom for 4 years. I  Iove being outside. I love going hiking, listening to music. 

Bug Hartsock is a graduating Master's student in an Entomology lab. When he's not staring at small critters, he spends his time reading, making art, and going on hikes (as well as playing plenty of Dungeons & Dragons). Bug is passionate about scientific outreach and communication, creating zines and comics designed to make science accessible to everyone. He's also spoken at conferences, on public radio, and at a variety of school outreach events. It's his hope to encourage the rest of the world to fall a little bit more in love with its tiny, many-legged residents.

Carrie earned her B.A. in both Environmental Studies and Spanish, a dual major she explored hands-on while studying in the cloud forests of Ecuador. After attending Indiana University to complete her Masters in Public Affairs, with concentrations in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management, she took on the role of Environmental Educator with the City of Bloomington. Here she connected with community members of all ages, teaching about habitats, sustainability practices, and conservation efforts. 

As an established marketing professional and award-winning public speaker, Carrie brings a variety of skills to NAAEE. Hailing most recently from the private sector, she is versed in planning complex marketing strategies for such names as REI, Icelandair, NPR, and The Weather Channel. A thought-leader in her industry, Carrie has developed and delivered training and audits to hundreds of participants, and prides herself on empowering those around her to excellence. She enthusiastically joins the NAAEE team to combine her creative innovation with her passion for environmental justice and education. 

Carrie has spent her life in the Midwest and currently resides in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. Outside work, Carrie serves on the Bloomington Environmental Commission and takes every opportunity to go hiking with her wife and two rescue pups.

Jimena Cuenca supports NAAEE's digital presence, helping maintain and improve our websites like eePRO so that it serves as a welcoming and useful space for environmental educators. Jimena brings a deep curiosity about how online communities grow, connect, and collaborate. She enjoys learning new digital tools and is always looking to make our web spaces more engaging. When not at work, she's walking her huskies and birding.

I have taught Prek-1st grade for 20 years. The majority of that time I have been teaching kindergarten. I am from Buffalo, NY and am a Bills fan. I have 2 children; 12 & 14. I am married and live in Maryland.

Preethi Mony is a specialist in the field of environmental education, program evaluation and grants and has a wide range of experience from developing resource matierials, conducting programs with children and adults, as well as evaluating programs and grant reporting.

Growing up in the busy metropolis of Mumbai, she quickly recognized the importance of the social aspects of conservation in protecting the natural world. She has worked with organizations in India and the US to help with environmental education program planning and resource development. She has over 20 years of experience working with zoos and museums to evaluate programs and exhibits and recommend strategies to improve the overall visitor experience. Over the last 2 years, she has worked at a local community college to support grant work (federal, state, and private) as well as to inform data driven decision making in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. She brings all of these experiences to her current role of EE Grant and Program Manager at NAAEE.

Preethi holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She earned her M.S. in interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.

I contribute to participatory R+D and continuous improvemement process focused on environmental stewardship, justice, and advocacy learning opportunities.

I teach environmental science at Bluffton Unviersity and I manage the Bluffton University Nature Preserve.

Retro Bowl is a classic football game with nostalgic pixel graphics. Players will take on the role of a head coach, managing their team both on and off the field. Your task is to build a strong squad, choose smart tactics and lead your team to victory in exciting matches. With simple but engaging gameplay, retro bowl brings a fun and challenging sports experience for all ages.

Chill Guy Clicker is a fun idle game where you will help a guy relax by clicking continuously, earning chill points and unlocking fun items and activities to help him live his most comfortable life.

Geometry Dash Spam is an engaging fan-made version of the popular rhythm platform game. Players will enter a colorful world filled with obstacles, challenges, and vibrant music. With the ability to create their own levels, the game not only challenges players' reflexes but also encourages their creativity.

High School Science Teacher, Lakewood, Ohio.

I am a nature-based educator, advocating for the right of every child, from preschool through high school - and the grownups who guide them - to have meaningful experiences learning in, about, and with nature.

As Director of Education and Outdoor Equity at TreePeople, Southern California's oldest and largest environmental nonprofit organization, I oversee a number of programs of informal, place-based environmental education. Our service learning program, Generation Earth, has targeted secondary teachers and students throughout Los Angeles County for 25 years, providing water, waste, and forestry experiential projects. TreePeople’s Outdoor Equity programs support youth and their families to connect with local natural and wildland areas. Through field trips, participants share experiences of their community and explore ways to steward and sustain their neighborhood’s natural resources while they have fun through hands-on learning.