Dr. Isabel Hawkins, a Senior Fellow in Science Education, conducts research in astronomy/space science education, and is Director of the Center for Science Education at the UC Space Sciences Laboratory. She is principal investigator of Project FIRST as well as national educational initiatives, including the Science Education Gateway (SEGway) project and NASA Office of Space Science's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum. She is a member of NASA's Office of Space Science Education Council as well as NASA's Space Science Advisory Committee. She received her Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Ruth Paglierani is a member of the Science Education Group at the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory, where she has worked extensively in UC Berkeley community outreach efforts in conjunction with the UC Berkeley Pledge and the Interactive University Project. At present she is the director of Project FIRST. Her recent efforts have been focused on building school/university partnerships to develop age-appropriate space science teaching materials for the elementary grades. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and earned her teaching credential in the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education. She holds a Master’s degree in English with an emphasis in language acquisition from San Francisco State University.

Barney Desroches is the Program Representative for SEGway (Science Education Gateway). Funded by NASA, SEGway is a national consortium of science museums, research institutions and educators working together to present the latest space science research to students, teachers, and the general public. Barney received a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology from the University of Oregon and a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University. He has worked on a variety of K-12 educational technology programs including the Oakland Museum of California's digital learning project, the UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive's electronic media project and UC Berkeley's Interactive University Project. Barney is working with the Project FIRST team to pilot new science materials with second- graders in Oakland public schools.

Lauren Garcia is a graphic artist, photographer, and web developer. She has been working with scientists and educators at the Space Sciences Laboratory since her recent graduation from UC Berkeley in Visual Studies. Lauren has worked on a number of NASA missions, including web development for CHIPS, FAST, HESSI and STEREO/IMPACT. She enjoys photography and does freelance work when she is not drawing, drumming, or playing guitar with other children her own age.

Sally Feldman is a teacher in the West Contra Costa Unified School District where she teaches in a kindergarten/first-grade class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credential from California State University, Hayward. She has been a teacher in the UC Berkeley Academic Talent Development Program. As a teacher instructor for the Contra Costa County Technology Leadership Academy and a Technology Leader for Washington Elementary School, she has trained teachers in classroom technology and web site development. She has also taken a leadership role in the BTSA New Teacher Mentor Program. As part of the development team for Eye on the Sky, Sally has contributed her expertise in technology and extensive experience in early science education.

Marie-Eve Thomaes is a primary grade teacher and a LITES science teacher leader for the Oakland Unified School District. She is a first/second grade teacher at Hoover Elementary School and has been a master teacher for the UC Berkeley Developmental Teacher Education program. She has worked with the University of California’s Berkeley Pledge Program for several years as a teacher-partner. Marie-Eve has collaborated in the development and testing of curricula for Project FIRST and the A Plus programs. She is also a district trainer for the Tribes program which encourages the creation of community in the classrooms through cooperative learning strategies. Marie-Eve earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Fordham University and received her teaching credential from California State University, Hayward.  

Irene Capous is a senior at UC Berkeley where she is majoring in Integrative Biology. When she is not occupied with the demands of her academic work, she spends her free time reading, and engaging in outdoor activities. Irene is working on Project FIRST to explore her interest in becoming a classroom teacher and to get some first hand experience with science teaching in the elementary classroom. Irene's long-term goal is to return to university life to complete an advanced degree.

Lisa Gohil is a third year Industrial Engineering and Operations Research major at UC Berkeley. Her academic interests include literature, history and film studies. Her professional goal is to work in financial consulting after receiving her Bachelor's degree. Lisa's long term aim is to pursue graduate studies in Industrial Engineering. Lisa's desire to work with young children and make a contribution to the community brought her to Project FIRST.

Amanda Boyd is a sophomore at UC Berkeley pursuing studies in psychology and sociology. After graduating from Cal, Amanda intends to join the Peace Corps. She plans to return to the university and become a child psychologist. She enjoys the challenge of working with young students and carrying out research in a classroom environment. Amanda wants to help create school environments in which students excel academically and also learn to be well-rounded, successful adults.