Andrew Amster
Freelance Writer, Instructional Designer, Earth Science SME at Self-Employed
Writing for Science Education
I have 30 years of experience in the education and interactive technology fields. Originally trained as a sedimentary geologist, I transitioned from oil exploration to science education, first in the classroom and then as an editor of secondary science textbooks. My early interest in computers and online interactivity led me to educational technology, where I have designed, written, and produced materials for educational publishers such as Discovery Education, JASON Learning, NOAA, Riverdeep, Learning.com, In2Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and others.

I currently work as a freelance writer/consultant on science or STEM education products. Please contact me if you need help with a project.
Self-Employed
As further described below, I am hired to: 

● Write, revise, or review K-12 STEM educational materials, both online and print
● Develop, script, and work with artists/programmers to produce interactive educational activities
Freelance Writer, Instructional Designer, Earth Science SME
The Concord Consortium
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-concord-consortium
● In 2015, brainstormed with Concord SMEs on ideas for 38 new, interactive, elementary science activities for McGraw-Hill. 
● Wrote the simulation specifications that addressed client needs (e.g., scope-and-sequence, Next Generation Science Standards) and which were used for concept approval. 
● Continued this work in late 2016 and 2017 for 12 additional simulations for Florida-specific project and 8 additional simulations for California.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEIgEx6CuyetA/company-logo_100_100/0/1578510568486?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=fBiksOxg9OKFy7yGIsKON9aKQbnF6QkArmYEZWa3Z_M
Writer/Science SME (for McGraw-Hill)
JASON Learning
https://www.linkedin.com/company/jason-learning
● Wrote the entire student edition (except for labs) for the new curriculum, JASON Climate: Seas of Change. This included reading selections, researcher profiles, features, introduction, glossary, etc.
● Revised one of three chapters, wrote new pieces, edited labs, and reviewed materials for the new version of existing curriculum, now called JASON Wetlands: Race to Restore.
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Writer & Editor
Consulting Services for Education
Served as a writer, producer, curriculum developer, instructional designer, and consultant on a variety of projects for different clients, including:

● Worked with a former NASA scientist to write and produce an online, elementary level, interactive weather activity for In2Books.
● Wrote a chapter of an imaginary high school biology textbook for use by Aequus Technologies in testing and marketing a text-to-PDF product. Worked with designer to create a suitable fake biology text design.

Other clients during this period included Carnegie Learning, Pearson, Feed the Pig, Science Companion, School Specialty Science, and WIN Learning.
Director of Development
Consulting Services for Education
● Wrote and produced original Virtual Labs, Explorations, and "FUN-damentals" science activity/simulations for award-winning Discovery Science Connection middle school and elementary school projects (now part of Science Techbook). These activities have been recognized with Awards of Excellence from Technology & Learning magazine as well as BESSIES, EDDIES, and Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice Awards. Also supervised editorial and design development of student and teacher documentation. 
● Led product concept development and then wrote a prototype engineering Virtual Lab script for Discovery Education’s Science Techbook.
Curriculum Developer, Writer & Producer (for Discovery Education)
Viola Digital Media
● Wrote the new Ocean Acidification curriculum for NOAA Ocean Data Education (NODE).
● Deep-edited the new Estuaries 101 curriculum for NOAA’s National Ocean Service and National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
Writer & Editor (for NOAA)
Pangea Tools
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pangea-tools
Writer, subject-matter expert, and instructional designer for ScienceFusion, a new digital K-8 science curriculum from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Wrote storyboards for online activities, grades 1 through 8. Continued with project as it was expanded and adapted for a Florida adoption.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQFWCU1JnzrXTA/company-logo_100_100/0/1519902513773?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=Lrtmo2hbJXFSzuSWdibqNozG6wASCwS65QsD_l80Q28
Science SME/Instructional Designer (for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Discovery Communications
https://www.linkedin.com/company/discoveryinc
Researched, scripted, and produced a fuel-efficient car design interactive activity for Progressive X-Prize and the Fuel Our Future website.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHJ295LwSbGig/company-logo_100_100/0/1594922995071?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=TX-sxf72p0B4iW3e1MtVaGcjk801oPfzBc-c4BTIlsY
Writer & Producer
360KID
https://www.linkedin.com/company/360kid
Wrote concepts, scripts, and provided science content support for around 20 instructional games for Learning.com's Aha!Science, a new, online, interactive, supplementary science curriculum for grades 3-5.
Newton, MA
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Writer/Science SME (for Learning.com)
Carbonrally.com
Wrote over 30 well-researched "carbon challenges" for this environmental, social networking, web startup. Each carbon challenge asks the reader to make a small change in his or her life that will help decrease the amount of carbon dioxide released into Earth's atmosphere. Examples: Eat meat two fewer times each week, keep your car's tires inflated.
Writer
JASON Foundation for Education
https://www.linkedin.com/company/jason-learning
Writer, producer, and curriculum developer on the following math and science products:

● Wrote student activities and accompanying teacher materials for two new JASON Math Adventure products: Proportional Reasoning & the Disappearing Wetlands and Geometry & Return to Titanic.
● Wrote scripts for Flash-based “mini-labs” and worked with developer to create an interactive, zoomable presentation of the Return to Titanic photomosaic. 
● Content producer, writer, and product manager for the Immersion Presents Boys and Girls Club product, Life at the Extremes. 
● Co-wrote physical science unit for JASON Expedition: Mysteries of Earth and Mars.
Needham Heights, MA
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Senior Content Producer
360KID
https://www.linkedin.com/company/360kid
Wrote scripts for 20 science simulations for Discovery Education's award-winning new middle school science CD-ROM series. Supervised other writers, as well as artists, and guided scientific accuracy of project. Worked with in-house programming team to complete simulations.
Newton, MA
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Writer/Producer (for Discovery Education)
Riverdeep
https://www.linkedin.com/company/riverdeep
● Wrote and/or revised over 50 articles for The Riverdeep Current. 
● Wrote scripts and programmed physical science simulations as part of Logal Middle School Science Gateways product. 
● Wrote and designed the Museum Learning online exhibit, "What's it like in an Earthquake?"
Cambridge, MA
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQHlV_QeViFcBg/company-logo_100_100/0/1519856131163?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=ZQi8Dg8ccm-mVrs8m4okNrPo8TPKA96pyC3Qq3JJHac
Writer/Producer
McDougal Littell
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcdougal-littell
● Supervised the Mathpack project, a special edition of Logal Software's Tangible Math suite of math tool software. Worked with programmers in Israel to produce revised product.
● Supervised the Electronic Teacher Tools project for Mathematics. 
● Miscellaneous concurrent projects included: supervised Larson Interactive Real-Life Investigations CD-ROMs; wrote focus test materials and participated in focus tests; wrote Request for Quote for new Spanish game CD-ROM.
Boston, MA
Senior Project Coordinator, Instructional Technologies
D.C. Heath & Company
● Co-wrote scripts and supervised animation for the Level I videodisc, Geometry In Motion.
● Supervised teachers' materials development and production of the middle level mathematics Interactions: Real Math-Real Careers videodisc series.
Lexington, MA
Senior Project Editor, Educational Technologies
D.C. Heath & Company
● Created, designed, and ghostwrote case studies, introductions, etc. for Environmental Awareness, a new, real-world, ancillary to high school Earth Science text. 
● Wrote 24 new environmental and current research features for the new edition of Namowitz/Spaulding Earth Science; revised text and art for one-third of the chapters. 
● Led overall program planning, conceptualization, etc., for new Middle School Science project; wrote and edited student and teacher materials for product field test.
Lexington, MA
Senior Project Editor, Science
D.C Heath & Company
Developmental editor of original authors' manuscript for 10 of 23 chapters in new 8th grade earth science textbook, Earth Science: Challenge of Discover. Wrote features and coordinated art/photo content with design staff. Directed entire ancillary materials development by outside developers.
Lexington, MA
Project Editor, Science
Norwood Public Schools
https://www.linkedin.com/company/norwood-public-schools
Taught 9th grade earth science and 8th grade physical science (IPS) in high school and middle school.
Norwood, MA
Science Teacher
Lexington Public Schools
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lexington-public-schools
Long-term substitute in four classes of 9th grade earth science. Prepared original, lab-oriented units on rocks and minerals, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the exploration for oil and natural gas.
Lexington, MA
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Earth Science Teacher
Amoco
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bp
Managed geologic operations at three wildcat wells and one field wildcat well in southern Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, plus an important wildcat discovery in Mobile Bay. Well-site experience, including picking coring points, core and sample description, and monitoring  of logging operations. Additional work included exploration mapping and lead generation.
New Orleans
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQEhoIsQ2skmTA/company-logo_100_100/0/1630913868016?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=vi9_SRYAshyS13hRhd0R4j7O9Abqobul0Dut2xBqvFk
Petroleum Geologist
MEd
Mid-Career Math & Science Program
Science Education
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Harvard University Graduate School of Education
https://www.linkedin.com/school/hgse/
Master's Degree
Course emphasis on stratigraphy and sedimentation. Wrote thesis based on original research: Subsurface Stratigraphy of Carbonate Bioherms within the Fort Payne Formation of South-Central Kentucky.
Geology
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University of Kentucky
https://www.linkedin.com/school/universityofkentucky/
BS
Geology
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University of Kentucky
https://www.linkedin.com/school/universityofkentucky/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-bueno-22b271146
Nashua, NH
Andres Bueno
Bioprocess Associate at Bristol-Myers Squibb
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roselynromberg
Concord, MA
Roselyn Romberg
I help accomplished organizations and individuals envision what's next and make it happen.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-mahoney-4b4556a
Greater Boston
Ann Mahoney
Supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences of K-12 teachers and students.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreajshapiro
Somerville, MA
Andrea Shapiro
Trusted advisor to nonprofit and public sector leaders and managers. Nonprofit and government innovator and leader.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-britcher-mba-mcc-943bb4
Greater Boston
Janet Britcher, MBA, MCC
President at Transformation Management LLC
Author Zoom Leadership: Change Your Focus, Change Your Insights;
https://www.linkedin.com/in/teledirectpartners
Boston, MA
Denise Clancey
Telesales, Telemarketing, Lead Generation & Customer Service Consultant.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/loritakeuchi
Oakland, CA
Lori Takeuchi
Program Director at the National Science Foundation
https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglashardy
Concord, MA
Doug Hardy
Editor | Writer | Media Content Strategist | Speaker | Thought Leadership Development
https://ie.linkedin.com/in/jamesruddy
Ireland
James Ruddy
Business Development, EdTech
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rickshea
Toronto, ON
Rick Shea
Catalytic Connector of Marketing Services Buyers & Sellers | Marketing & Business Development
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenweisner
Andover, MA
Maureen Weisner, M.Ed., PCC, CPCC
Founder/Managing Partner at KICKSTART Your Transition
Career Coaching & Consulting * Speaker * Author *
https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlbridges
Charleston, SC
Earl Bridges 🎬
💭Philanthropologist 📓TV Host 📺Gonzo Traveler ✈ Speaker 🎤Whiskey Lover  🥃
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-fisk-6b9319119
Bowling Green, KY
Brent Fisk
Customer Service
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rogers-7045a98
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Paul Rogers
Freelance writer/storyteller/content creator for Los Angeles Times, LA Times Studios etc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgarrider
Riverside, CA
Edgar Rider
Author of Go Bare Maximum aka  Riding Out the Kipling Effect and 5990 A Tribute Story About Grandparents
https://www.linkedin.com/in/casecavanagh
Greater Boston
Casey Cavanagh
Writer at WordCandy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-shapiro-34809515
Baltimore City County, MD
Stephanie Shapiro
Freelance writer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-galante
New York, NY
Meredith Galante
Freelance Writer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylorainestearns
Long Beach, CA
Kelly Loraine Stearns
Freelance Writer/Poet
https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-boehl-871b826
San Diego, CA
Theresa Boehl
Freelance copywriter, content writer & journalist
Katie Cubina
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I have worked with Andrew on two major multimedia curriculum development projects over the last two years. Andrew is comfortable researching, writing, and editing content for multimedia STEM content development projects. He is also a gifted artist and is invaluable in working with designers to develop scientific illustrations to complement his work. Andrew has deep science content knowledge along with a keen understanding of how to connect real-world science topics to kids' everyday lives. Andrew is passionate about many areas of STEM education and especially topics related to Earth sciences and conservation. He delivers on-time, high-quality, engaging work that needs little to no editing. I would highly recommend Andrew for any STEM content-development project for elementary through high school students.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-amster-501267a4
West Hollywood, CA
Andy Amster
Sr. Director, Center for Healthcare Analytics at Kaiser Permanente
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-amster-0b9ba85
West Hollywood, CA
Andy Amster
Director, Center for Healthcare Analytics at Kaiser Permanente
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-amster-4613669
West Hollywood, CA
Andy Amster
Director, Center for Healthcare Analytics at Kaiser Permanente
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics editors
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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2397388
Elementary Education Publishing Professionals
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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/123931
InformalSci
https://static-exp1.licdn.com/sc/h/4h1ldzvvebtszyx75ve7dst1v
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3211516
TechInEDU OFFICIAL SITE (Technology Innovation & Integration In Education)
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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/108447
Science After School
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https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2332780