People

Sydney spent the bulk of her childhood learning and growing under the canopy of the southeastern deciduous forests that make up her home state of Virginia. She earned her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Following her undergraduate schooling, she began working as a youth environmental educator, leading her to eventually pursue her M.A. in the University of Utah's Environmental Humanities Program to study how nature-based programs can better support nature-connections across diverse groups. While in Utah, she also co-founded Camping in Color, an overnight program designed for black youth and their families in the Salt Lake Valley area to enhance a sense of belonging, appreciation, and engagement in the outdoors. She joins the Natural Start Alliance team excited to further her work in making quality early childhood environmental education more accessible to all.

I am a mother of 2. I have been a teacher for 25 years. I am a crafter.

I am a 5th grade teacher at North East Elementary School

My name is Jennifer Queen.  I have been a teacher for 18.5 years.  I have taught kindergarten, first, third and fifth grades.  I find that there is something special about the students in each of the grades I've taught that makes learning with them fun.  

In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors engaging in activities with my family, but I also appreciate being in the outside space going for walks by myself.  My family owns one dog, one guinea pig and one leopard gecko. 

Ms. Sudakshina Sengupta is a Programme Officer–Scientist at the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), Ahmedabad. She holds an M.Sc. in Zoology with a specialization in Environmental Biology and has over 14 years of experience in science communication, science education, and environmental education. She coordinates several flagship programmes of VASCSC for school students. As an environment educator, she works to build awareness of basic environmental concepts at the school level through hands-on and inquiry-based learning. She has contributed to different DST–NCSTC projects, the Science Express (2012–17), teacher training programmes, and has been actively involved in the development of NEP 2020–aligned TLMs and IEC materials.

Megha Parikh is an educator dedicated to bridging the gap between complex environmental science and community-based STEM education. With a post-graduate degree in Environmental Sciences and over 14 years of specialized experience, she plays a pivotal role at the prestigious Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) in leveraging her background in Environmental Sciences to develop innovative teaching-learning materials (TLM) that foster ecological literacy among youth. She also manages and coordinates large-scale projects centered on STEM education, innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, ensuring that emerging technologies are accessible to the next generation of thinkers.

My name is Aqsa. I love all animals, but especially dogs. I have a heart in educating on safe animal practices 

I am 2nd grade teacher at Northview Elementary School in Prince Georges County Public School. I have been teaching for 29 years. I love my job as a teacher because of my genuine love for teaching and learning as well as being with children who share equal love for learning and discovery of things around them. 

Lindsey Kirkland (she/her) is an environmental education leader, facilitator, and program manager dedicated to connecting people, ideas, and action. Most recently at Climate Generation, she designed and led professional learning experiences for a national network of educators, creating spaces where collaboration, curiosity, and community drive meaningful impact. With a background in environmental research, climate education, coalition-building, and program strategy, Lindsey brings people together across organizations to strengthen practice and advance collective goals. She believes learning is most powerful when it is participatory, grounded in real-world contexts and research, and rooted in care for both people and place.

I teach 5th grade Math, Social Studies, and Science

Dilip Surkar is a development sector leader with over 35 years of experience in environmental conservation, STEM education, sustainable livelihoods, water and sanitation, and climate resilience. He serves as CEO of the Nehru Foundation for Development, Executive Director of VASCSC, and Director of VIKSAT, in India. His work focuses on linking science, education, and community action for sustainable development. He has led major national initiatives and contributed to global networks, advancing environmental education, communication, and inclusive, community-led approaches.

I am a Reading and Writing teacher for 5th grade students in Cecil County.  Even though I don't technically teacher science, we read informational texts with science concepts and I also partner with the other 5th grade teacher at our school to integrate science concepts and experiences into my classroom to ensure students are receiving a well rounded and complete science education.