Brian Aycock currently serves as the Third Grade Curriculum Coordinator for West Aurora SD 129. He is also the Elementary Director for the Illinois Science Teachers' Association. He is passionate about science education, and specializes in three-dimensional curriculum development and implementation. He resides in Downers Grove, IL with his wife Samantha, and his two children Brooklyn and Donovan.

Dr. Sally Drew, Associate Professor Special Education & Interventions at Central Connecticut State University

Gail Housman is working on several development teams in the OpenSciEd Developers Consortium to develop storyline-based middle school NGSS units. Prior to her current position, she taught fourth and fifth grade at Ideal Elementary School in Illinois, where she also coached the district's IMSA Fusion STEM program and worked on developing NGSS storylines with the Science Writing Cadre at West 40. Gail received her Masters in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sara is currently working as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Coordinator at Ogden International School of Chicago. After teaching in elementary schools abroad for eight years, she enjoys being able to support learning in the public school system here in Chicago. Her role allows her to reach all 30 classrooms of K-5 students at Ogden through co-planning, co-teaching and coaching teachers. She is endlessly curious, seeking to always learn more about inquiry, international education and supporting teachers to enhance student learning. 

Tara A. W. McGill is a Curriculum Development Specialist at Northwestern University. Prior to her current position, she taught ninth-grade biology in Chicago Public Schools and developed curriculum materials with Ag in Progress Partnership, NFP.  She researched honey bee biology and behavior in the Entomology Department at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign (UIUC). While at UIUC, she also performed informal science outreach and collaborated on several science education projects. McGill is also a facilitator and member of the design team for the Next Generation Science Exemplar System for Professional Development (NGSX), a web-based professional development system designed to help educators grow in their understanding of three-dimensional learning.

Science Curriculum and Staff Development Specialist, PNW BOCES Newton, CT.

Science Specialist at Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School in Bridgeport, CT

Grade 4 Teacher at Woodside Intermediate in Cromwell, CT