M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis Nichols came to Adler with an undergraduate degree in physics and astronomy. She wanted to go further — but not further into astronomy. She needed something that would help her translate her extensive knowledge in a way that resonated with the general public. National Louis University (NLU) provided the solution she was looking for. Nichols utilized NLU’s multiple locations in order to help accommodate her busy schedule, and after putting in a few classes here and there over a number of years, she graduated in 2002 with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.
worlds to figure out the best way to explain astronomical concepts so that the public will understand — and hopefully they will get excited about the new information too,” she explained. The Black Sea: An Adler Voyage Cosmos wasn’t the only voyage that changed Nichols’ life. Back in 1999, Nichols went on a Black Sea cruise visiting Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Greece — care of the Adler Planetarium. She was part of a large group of about 200 people, including families with children, who planned to experience that year’s total solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower. Nichols was tasked with providing exciting educational activities throughout the week-long voyage.
Of all the fun she has at Adler, this trip tops her list.
Her new degree provided Nichols with a tool box of education skills to complement her expertise in astronomy.
“Yes, I really did get to go on a cruise for my job! And yes, we did see the solar eclipse and the Perseid meteor shower. It was an amazing opportunity,” Nichols reminisced.
“Having both degrees allows me to, in essence, straddle both
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National Louis University VIEW | Spring 2018
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