Erica Harvey earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Wellesley College in 1985 and then a Ph.D. in Physical Inorganic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1990. At FSU, she teaches Chemical Principles, Physical Chemistry, Advanced Integrated Laboratory and the interdisciplinary liberal studies courses Science That Matters I and II. Harvey's professional efforts focus on student-centered, active learning. She and her colleagues have been working hard to develop a fully outcomes-driven chemistry curriculum with mastery grading and in-depth WebCT support. Making its debut in the spring of 2005 is her online quantum mechanics course, part of which involves collaboration with a local yoga instructor/physicist. Recent NSF-funded projects include collaborations to develop an electronic quantum mechanics text, to create online intercollegiate learning communities in physical chemistry and to craft an integrated science course for secondary education majors around the theme of “Coal in the Heart of Appalachia.” In the summer she directs Project AMPLE Extended, a two-week residential science and math camp for junior high students. Favorite out-of-school activities include “hiking, gardening, reading, hanging out on big rocks near big trees, watching our pretty chickens and enjoying my family.”
I've gained great respect for students who balance schoolwork with all sorts of outside commitments and manage to maintain a positive attitude at the same time. Involvement with the integrated science courses has exposed me to fascinating new areas of science and a welcome diversity of student learning styles. I've also had lots of fun learning how to use technology of all sorts.
Class sessions go by really quickly for everyone involved, so they probably aren't boring! My classes definitely offer students the opportunity to be both strongly challenged and strongly supported in their learning efforts. Students value my enthusiasm and genuine desire to help people learn.