Cassie Soeffing (Soeffing)

Senior Science Educator

Cassie Soeffing has been with IGES since 2009 as primary lead for the NASA Earth Science Education and Public Outreach Forum's work in K-12 education, which includes product analysis, professional development and conferences.

Previously, Ms. Soeffing spent 27 years as a middle school science educator, where she used her background in Earth sciences and teacher education as well as her leadership abilities to mentor 12 student teachers. As an adjunct instructor, she was proactive in integrating and supporting the use of geospatial technologies in K-12 education and professional development programs. Students in her classroom were enthusiastic, energized and involved in project-based inquiry learning. Ms. Soeffing has also worked with the Science, LandDAAC and AmericaView project areas at the USGS EROS Data Center and developed educational outreach materials for the center.

Ms. Soeffing is active in several professional associations and has given many presentations on GIS, remote sensing, 3-D spatial technologies, and GPS at local, state and regional levels. She has completed numerous professional development programs, including the Christa McAuliffe Teaching Fellowship (1998), Toyota Tapestry (2001), Eleanor Roosevelt Teaching Fellowship (2001) and South Dakota Space Grant Fellowship (2003, 2004). Her accolades include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching (2004), the Bush Leadership Fellowship (2005), the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (2005) and the American View K-12 Educator Award (2009). Her Einstein Fellowship placed her at NASA Headquarters where she worked on innovative K-12 programs.

Ms. Soeffing has completed coursework for a doctorate in Atmospheric Environmental and Water Resources from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She earned undergraduate and master's degrees from South Dakota State University.