Nominated by Margaret Collins
Paddy has been a powerful voice and force in the development of hands-on science studies in Massachusetts. In the early 70's she was a founder, President, and member of the Boston Zoological Society and was instrumental in developing educational programs. In the 80's she continued the effort by bringing together area museum directors, which resulted in the birth of MITS, Museum Institute for Teaching Science. Paddy was the visionary, practitioner, and pragmatist behind MITS and through her efforts teachers of Grades K-8 can participate in two-week long Summer Institutes across the state. These institutes provide inquiry-based, hands-on, minds-on, problem solving methodology. Paddy has constantly reached out to individuals, organizations, and institutions to broaden these opportunities. Paddy is *the fairy godmother of informal science in this state.'
Last Modified: August 12, 2004