Episode 2: Rob Friedrich, Science Department Chair

TMI Science Department Chair, Rob Friedrich, and I sat down for this Panthercast episode to dive deep into his passion for science, teaching, and the upcoming research expedition to Dominica. Starting his 19th year teaching at TMI, Rob shared his journey through school and how he stumbled into becoming a teacher. Sharing a number of anecdotes and opening up about his own struggles with math during school, he gives insight and encouragement to students who may be facing similar challenges.

We talk about the formalized effort to integrate classes across the different subjects and how TMI strives to develop the whole person, teaching students to be leaders in their communities and good people. The integration of classes helps students to achieve mastery in their subjects by learning how to speak across domains, knowing how to communicate effectively, and having the ability to draw upon a variety of skills and experiences. This year the chemistry classes will be working with the art department on a variety of projects using painting and photography while music will be integrated into the physics classes.

Rob also talks in depth about the summer research expedition open to students next year. Students will be traveling to Dominica to work with researchers in the field for two weeks to assist with collecting data. They’ll be spending a week in the rainforest and a week in the coral reef learning various research techniques.

Dominica Information: https://www.tmi-sa.org/page/campus-life/student-trips#Dominica
Operation Wallacea: https://www.opwall.com/about-opwall/

Finally, be sure to listen until the very end to find out what inspires him to teach, his most memorable moment at TMI, and something most people don’t know about him!