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Impact Magazine

A Fond Farewell to Marta Adair

Marta Adair profile.jpg

Renowned biology professor Marta Adair recently retired from BYU after working in a variety of capacities on campus, beginning in 1992. Prior to her professional career, Adair received a bachelor’s degree in biology composite teaching from BYU in 1981. She then spent time as a classroom teacher in middle schools and high schools both in Utah and Idaho before returning to BYU, where she obtained a master’s degree in science education in 1990. Adair subsequently went on to fill various roles at the university, including an associate professor in the Department of Biology, Assistant Director for Education in the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum and a variety of positions in the McKay School of Education. Adair participated in numerous presentations, workshops and in-service programs throughout her career, focusing on things such as the following: wetlands education, alternatives to pen and paper tests, the Diamond Fork Development project and hands-on science for junior high kids. She was the recipient of several awards during her time as a teacher, including multiple Teaching Excellence Awards from the city of Orem, Teacher of the Year from Mountain View High and, most recently, the Dick Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Science Teachers Association. In the spring and summer of 2014, Adair did a semester abroad as an advisor and student teacher supervisor for the China Teaching Program. She was involved with the Association for Science Teacher Education, National Association for Research in Science Teaching and Utah Science Teachers Association. She also received multiple grants from the Utah State Office of Education and received a Mentoring Environment Grant from BYU.