Frances Scelsi Hess

Frances Scelsi Hess is an educationist who promotes science education.

Education and career

Hess attended the State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) and graduated in 1977 with a teaching degree in Environmental Sciences. She proceeded to fill a position at Cooperstown High School in Cooperstown, New York as an Earth Science teacher. Her work and involvement in the sciences increased as she quickly expanded to teach Biology, Astronomy, Criminalistics, and recently in 2006 - Advanced Placement Environmental Science classes. In the late 1980s, Hess returned to college, at Columbia University, to graduate with an Ed.D.

Since receiving her Ed.D., Hess has devoted a great deal of her time to the sciences. She has assisted in the writing of several Glencoe textbooks, one of which she uses in her Earth Science classes. An active participant in political issues, she holds a position in local politics at home in Morris, New York, and appeared on television at the 2004 Democratic National Convention; she is also a recurring guest at NASA in Cape Canaveral. During summer 2004 she toured Italy.

Hess, a devoted and active member with PDK International, has received numerous grants and awards during her career; including the prestigious Eisenhower Education Grant. Shortly after 2000 she made an appearance before the House Science Committee. In her testimony to the committee, Hess stated that "requiring Earth Science of all students nationwide would significantly increase the quality of science programs." Her work shortly after awarded her an invite to the 2001 Congressional Math & Science Educators Awards, in which she received high honors by New York Congressman Sherwood Boehlert, and was quoted as "the joy of Cooperstown".

Today, Hess continues teaching in Cooperstown, New York, where she will commence AP Environmental Science classes as of Autumn 2006. She has no immediate plans for retirement.