Getting to Know You

G. Paul Hudak, M.Ed
Managing Director of the Gallery of Scientific Exploration at Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration

EDUCATION:
Arizona State University
Master of Education in Secondary Education
Science and Mathematics Education, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, School of Earth and Space Exploration

Arizona State University
B.S. Earth and Space Exploration
School of Earth and Space Exploration, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Northern Arizona University
B.S. Physics and Astronomy
Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences (Inc.)

Glendale Community College
Associate in Applied Science, Audio Production Technologies

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Currently teaching Earth and Space Science at Skyline High School, Environmental Science at Poston Junior High School, Astronomy at Kino Junior High School and Astronomy/Planetary Science at Mesa Community College

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

School of Earth and Space Exploration
Gallery Manager, Exhibit Technician and Content Manager – Dr. Jim Bell, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ – 2012 – Present
-Promote ASU and the School of Earth and Space Exploration, including past and current research projects in astronomy, geology, geo-chemistry, astrophysics, planetary geology and astrobiology to an undergraduate and K-12 audience. Communicate effectively to groups of various education levels about the Center for Meteorite Studies, Mars Space Flight Facility, EarthScope and other points of interest at ASU.
-Manage and troubleshoot 10 computer systems (Mac and PC) in the Gallery of Scientific Exploration, located inside the ISTB 4, ASU’s largest research facility.
-Perform regular research and analysis of data to determine relevant, current information that should be presented for gallery exhibits.
-Operate Linux systems inside an official NASA mission operations area and manage an automatic AMX Controller, Manual Switching System and Audio Controls for the Gallery and Lobby.
-Coordinate the activities of subordinates. Ensure adequate staffing for each event, brief staff on specific assignments and train docents.
-Schedule tours from within the ASU community, handle inquiries and direct information to colleagues, and coordinate incoming requests with Mars Space Flight Facility, Center for Meteorite Studies, or LROC
-Coordinate tours effectively with K-12 school groups for SESE’s Education and Public Outreach initiative.
-Coordinate, facilitate and support high profile VIP events. Past tours have included personal presentations for the Arizona Board of Regents, the Governor of Arizona, the Mayor of Tempe, the President of ASU, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – the highest-ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces.
-Manage large scale tours of 100+ students, faculty, staff and community members.
-Communicate scientific concepts to visitors and actively promote scientific literacy.
-Develop and deploy inquiry-based education and public outreach activities.
-Provide the community, media and faculty with high-definition footage of natural disasters and current events regarding climate change, space weather, and planetary research. Provide information relevant to Arizona and the Southwest.

NASA SPACE GRANT – Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ – 2010 – 2014
Intern, Aerospace Scholarship to Challenge and Educate New Discoverers
-Facilitated work on the ASCEND! Project. Co-designed, built and flew a scientific payload to 100,000 feet, each launch took place in Yuma, AZ and recovered in Flagstaff, AZ or Prescott, AZ.
-Encouraged youth to engage in the perpetuation of scientific knowledge by designing, building, flying operating and analyzing parts of a space mission.
-Assisted in logistics, planning and outreach events.
-Organized, assisted and worked in the planetarium.
-Supported astronomy open houses with fellow NASA interns.
-Promoted the NASA Space Grant, ASU, SESE and regularly engaged the community at over 60 events statewide

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
-Developed, produced and implemented original, custom SESE content for a $200,000 exhibit, “Magic Planet” that includes high definition data sets form LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbital Camera) and THEMIS (Thermal Imaging System) from the cameras onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiter.
-Created and co-authored a 15 page Magic Planet exhibit in 9 weeks highlighting EarthScope, a National Science Foundation initiative. This customized exhibit launches from a touch-screen kiosk in the Gallery and highlights the Seismic and Magnetotelluric Observatory (USArray), the Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO), and the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD). 2 more exhibits are in production.
-Developed and assisted with installation of exhibit control security for the Remote Operated Vehicle, protecting a $15,000 investment.
-Created and customized high-definition visual presentations for 19 special events, 8 public lectures, 4 media interviews and 4 digital classroom packages to be used by faculty in geology classes within the University.
-Designed and produced highly-detailed graphic informational brochure prototype about the Gallery of Scientific Exploration for the community.
-Created and currently administrate an updated, customized Gallery of Scientific Exploration webpage.
-Managed operations and subordinates at 8 “Earth and Space Open House” community events. Created content for visiting faculty and guest speakers. Provided technical assistance to over 20 VIP lecturers and participants speaking in the Marston Exploration Theater. Took a leadership role in the large scale Earth and Space Exploration Day and assisted in overseeing its transition into the brand new ISTB 4.
-Authored and updated a 28 page Gallery Operations Manual for use by docents, new employees or in case of an emergency.
-Coded an entirely new template for the Magic Planet exhibit utilizing Jscript, HTML, XML.
-Manage and train undergraduate/graduate workers within the gallery, clean rooms and theater.