Barry Olson teachers earth science and space science at Ben Franklin Middle School in Fargo, ND. The 49-year-old has taught in Fargo Public Schools for 17 years. Olson is always looking for new things to bring to the classroom to keep his students engaged. He has taught his students how to forecast the weather and takes them to a local television station to learn about reporting the weather and meteorology. He also has taken students scuba diving to teach them about the ocean. Olson's students are not only entertained by his usual and innovative lesson plans, but they are also enlightened. Olson's eighth-grade students pass their classes at a higher rate than in previous years and Olson is has inspired many struggling students to succeed in the sciences.
Olson is active in the academic community as a mentor for local university undergraduates and serves as the district science committee's union representative. Olson received the 2001 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher presented by National Association of Geology Teacher and NDSU Master’s Alumni Award 2002 presented by North Dakota State University.
1991 North Dakota State University, B.S.
