Education

M.Sc. in Biology and Non-formal Science Education, 2002, University of Southern Denmark
Completed thesis Promoting knowledge about bird song as a communication system to museum visitors, a joint project between the Institute of Biology, SDU and Zoologisk Museum Svendborg (now Naturama). Project included a scientific research component as well as an exhibition development research component.

Autumn semester completed in Biological Sciences, 1997, King’s College London
Spent a semester at King’s College, University of London studying Biological Sciences, involving courses based at the Natural History Museum in London.

B.Sc. in Neurobiology, 1997, University of Southern Denmark
Conducted an eight week behavioral study on the behavior of elephants in captivity, a joint project between the Institute of Biology, SDU and Givskud Zoo, Denmark.

Employment History

Education Officer, Galway Atlantaquaria, 2006-present
Develop children's science workshop series
Prepare and instruct all education programs
Liason for Discover Primary Science program
Develop worksheets for children
Aquatic species husbandry and record-keeping

Curriculum Coordinator, Honolulu Zoo Society, 2005-06
Prepare and instruct all education programs
Develop displays, signage, zoo map
Develop curriculum-linked activity guides for visiting school groups
Author articles for member's magazine
Responsible for kid's page in member's magazine

Laboratory Technician, UNC at Chapel Hill, 2003-04
Aquatic species husbandry and record keeping: sea turtles, lobsters, crabs, snails, octopuses
Construct 300 G sea water system, monitor and maintain sea and fresh water aquaria
Supervise volunteers and work study students

Research Assistant, University of Southern Denmark, 2002
Plan aspects of and implement experimental research on the behavior of honeybees
Supervise research students assisting with project

Biology Instructor, University of Southern Denmark, 2001
Present and discuss curriculum topics with undergraduate students, provide feedback to supervisors

Museum Interpreter, Zoologisk Museum (now Naturama), 1998-01
Perform extensive literature research, creating written reports for other museum employees
Perform guided dialogue-form tours and supervise hands-on workshops for visitors
Develop and evaluate work sheets for visiting school groups

Volunteering

Judge, Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair, 2006
Judged high school science projects in behavioral and social sciences category

Aviary Interpreter, Honolulu Zoo, 2005
Research and gather specimens in preparation to opening walk-through aviary interpretation kiosk
Present and interpret aviary exhibits and kiosk specimens (more...)

Edge of the Reef Interpreter, Waikiki Aquarium, 2005
Present and interpret Hawaiian reef exhibit, supervise visitor interactions with live specimens
Clean and maintain saltwater tanks housing coral

Volunteer, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 2003-2005
Develop and statistically evaluate curriculum goal-linked work sheets for school groups (more...)

Exhibit Developer, University of Southern Denmark, 2002
Develop exhibit: The Tree of Life

Courses

Understanding Visitors' Ideas: Cosmic Conversations, ASTC, 2006

Exhibition Design for Museums, University of Hawaii, 2005

Communication of Biological Knowledge, University of Southern Denmark, 1997

Publications

Mortensen M & Smart K (accepted): Free-choice worksheets increase students' exposure to curriculum during museum visits. Journal of Research in Science Teaching

Mortensen M (2005): The Chaperone’s Guide Evaluation Report. 10 p. (available on request)

Mortensen M (2003): Exhibit The Tree of Life at the Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark

Mortensen M (2002): Master’s thesis: Promoting knowledge about bird song as a communication system to museum visitors. University of Southern Denmark Press, 142 p.

Mortensen M (2001): Exhibit Every bird sings its own song at Zoologisk Museum (now Naturama), Denmark