Ann Timmermans
Associate Teaching Professor / Curator
PhD
Forestry/Geology 101
Fredericton
Courses
- ESCI1012: Environmental Earth Science
- ESCI1017: Introductory Environmental Earth Science Laboratory
- ESCI1001: The Earth: Its Origin, Evolution and Age
- ESCI1006: Introductory to Geology Laboratory
- ESCI1026/GE1026: Geology Laboratory for Engineers
- ESCI1703: Field School
- SCI1002: Science in Context
Education
- BSc Earth Sciences (Cooperative Option), University of Waterloo
- MSc Earth Sciences, Carleton University
- PhD Doctorate of Philosophy, Carleton University
About Ann
Dr. Ann C Timmermans (she/her) is a geologist, Senior Instructor, and Curator in Earth Sciences at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Dr. Timmermans grew up in Ontario and was passionate about science even before she could spell the word. Museums were her second home growing up, and in her youth gained experience through her volunteer and employment work at Natural Science Museums across Canada. Timmermans completed her BSc in Earth Science from the University of Waterloo in 1995, and after backpacking overseas for many months, worked in Geophysical Exploration for 5-years – travelling to remote sites in North America and Africa.
An interest in Igneous Petrology, Volcanology and Geochemistry lead her to return to academia completing her MSc and PhD at Carleton University. She accepted her current position as Senior Instructor with the Department of Earth Sciences and Curator at the Quartermain Earth Science Centre in 2014. Timmermans has been recognized for her work in teaching and promoting geoscience outreach and awareness as a recipient of UNB Merit Award (2019), the Carleton University Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, the Donald R. Wiles Prize for Laboratory Demonstrators and nominations for the UNB Allan P. Stuart Award.
Teachng philosophy
As an educator, mentor and guide, my goals are for students are to acquire deep transformative learning, so they leave my courses with confidence in their knowledge in science literacy - not only for the term, but also for a lifetime.
To facilitate deep understanding, I believe my role is to provide students with the context to comprehend concepts and ideas: to provide the “why and how” as well as the “what”. I encourage students to connect their current work with historical “key” discoveries and the people behind them. I help students navigate through peer-reviewed scientific journals and general publications and urge students to be critical and creative with data to accomplish their goals.
Field experience is the best classroom and laboratory. Geology is everywhere, so I take advantage of the resources available in the local community – whether in the remote wilderness or the busy urban streets. I believe in fair, accurate and frequent evaluations that motivate students to keep up with the material and take responsibility for their own learning. I support UDL 360-degree evaluations, which include summative and formative assessments along with peer collaboration where appropriate. Responsive teaching is important inside and outside the classroom, as it is a pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to and celebrates the accomplishments of students.
I can facilitate learning by understanding the barriers students may encounter during their educational career, which include cognitive (to know), conative (to have the will), affective (to feel), and structural (to have the opportunity) barriers. I implement responsive teaching and other engagement techniques by using positive language, being available before and after class, creating weekly/monthly “muddy point” cards, attending informal study sessions, organizing workshops, inviting comments and suggestions to contribute to the course, and maintaining a safe, creative, collaborative learning environment for students, TAs and instructors.
When it comes to my own evaluation as an instructor, I like to solicit feedback from students throughout the term. I encourage students to recognize their own learning style then help revise the material to meet their needs. I am consistently amazed at the ideas students produce to enhance their learning environment! I make myself available to students by maintaining an open-door policy and encourage students to drop in when they can (face-to-face or online). Students can also email their questions or concerns and expect a prompt response.
My passion for teaching extends to my work as curator for the Quartermain Earth Science Centre. I am passionate about Earth, Environmental and Space Science literacy, and awareness of science for all citizens of our planet. Through my work with historic geologic specimens, education, outreach and research, I endeavour to empower students, teachers and the general public to engage in the Earth, Environmental and Space Sciences.
Curation projects
Collections care: Natural History Collections are the heart and soul of a museum. Timmermans actively curates and stores the historic mineral, rock and fossil collections in the museum laboratory.
Exhibit development: Timmermans manages current exhibits and develops new projects inside and outside the Quartermain museum.
Current and past projects:
- Palaeontology (Geo to Bio) Exhibit (in progress, completion date Dec. 31, 2022)
- Smallman Display
- Dimetrodon Display
- Projector and Screen project
- Donor Wall Exhibit
- Digital Map Exhibit
- World of Minerals Exhibit
- Optical Mineralogy Exhibit
Education and outreach: The Quartermain Earth Science Centre at UNB has an active outreach program for students, teachers and the general public. Our outreach programs are designed to increase Earth, Environmental and Space Science literacy through our hands-on activities, workshops, geo-hikes and other public events. We also have a wide range of programs designed to support educators seeking to bring Earth Sciences into the classroom.
For more information, contact 506-458-7205 or quartermain@unb.ca.
Publications and presentations
Timmermans, A.C., Cousens, B.L. and Henry, C.D. (2020) Geochemical Study of Cenozoic Mafic Volcanism in West-Central Great Basin, Western Nevada and Ancestral Cascades Arc, California, Geosphere
Timmermans, A.C., Cousens, B.L. and Henry, C.D. (to be submitted summer 2020) Petrological Evolution During Cenozoic Arc Migration in West-Central Great Basin, Western Nevada and Ancestral Cascades Arc, California – A Comparative Geochemical Study of Arc to Post-Arc Volcanism
Timmermans, A.C. (Winter 2020) Creative ideas to provide quality engagement opportunities in field geology for first-year university students, Engenuity Magazine.
Timmermans, A.C. (Winter 2018) EdGEO Earth Science Workshops: Helping teachers help students embrace the geosciences in New Brunswick Schools, Engenuity Magazine.
Timmermans, A.C. (2018) How to support the changing ideas in New Brunswick K-12 Earth Science education: combining trusted teaching approaches with tactile educational experiences through hands-on and project-based learning, Vancouver, British Columbia, presentation: RFG 2018 Conference.
Timmermans, A.C. (2018) Visiting lost worlds: using fossil collections for education and outreach. An example from the Quartermain Earth Science Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, presentation: RFG 2018 Conference.
Timmermans, A.C. (2017) What Small Earth Science Institutions can do for Education: an example from the Quartermain Earth Science Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick, presentation: GAC MAC 2017.
Timmermans, A.C. and Sander, S.M. (2017) The Curation of University Geology Collections: an example from the Quartermain Earth Science Centre, presentation: AGS Colloquium 2017.
Timmermans, A.C., Cousens, B.L. and Henry, C.D. (2017) Why Storytelling is Essential to Effective Communication of the Earth Science: A Tribute to Gwen Martin, presentation: AGS Colloquium 2017.
Contributer Publication – poster (2016) "Medicine from the ground up", Mining Matters, Project Coordinator: Janice Williams
Timmermans, A.C. (Fall 2016) Our Geological Journey, Association Heritage New Brunswick Magazine.
Timmermans, A.C. (2015) Quartermain Earth Science Centre, Geolog, Vol 43, No. 4.
Timmermans, A.C. (2015) A Geochemical Study of Cenozoic Magmatism Along an East-West Transect from Central Great Basin, Nevada to the Ancestral Cascade Arc, California – A Compositional Journey Over Space and Time, [Ph.D Thesis], Carleton University.
Timmermans, A.C., Cousens, B.L. and Henry, C.D. (2013) A Geochemical Study of Mafic Tertiary Volcanism in West-Central Great Basin, Western Nevada and Ancestral Cascade Arc, California, abstract: GAC MAC 2013.
Popovici, M. and Timmermans, A.C. (2013) Effective Engagement Techniques for Undergraduate Students Across Disciplines, presentation: CNIE Conference 2013.
Timmermans, A.C. and Bell, K. (2013) Composition of Apatite from the Oka Carbonatite Complex, Quebec: implications for melt evolution, poster: Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference, 2013.
Timmermans, A.C., Cousens, B.L. and Henry, C.D. (2012) A Geochemical Study of Tertiary Volcanism in West-Central Great Basin, Western Nevada, abstract: GAC MAC 2012.
Timmermans, A.C. and Cousens, B.L. (2012) A Geochemical Study of Tertiary Volcanism in West-Central Great Basin, Western Nevada, abstract: AESRC 2012.
Cousens, B.L., Henry, C.D., Timmermans, A.C., Sylvester, A.G., Wise, W.S., Prytulak, J., Stoffers, A. and Gupta, V. (2009) Miocene through Holocene arc and post-arc volcanism in the northern Sierra Nevada and western Nevada. Abstract, EOS, Transactions American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting Supplement 90.
Timmermans, A.C. and Cousens, B. (2006) A Geochemical Study of the Ancestral Cascade Arc, Sierra Nevada and Basin and Range, Lake Tahoe region, California and Western Nevada: A Preliminary Report, poster: GAC MAC 2006 (PhD work).
Timmermans, A.C. and Bell, K. (2003) Composition of Apatite from the Oka Carbonatite Complex, Quebec: implications for melt evolution, [M.Sc Thesis], Carleton University.
Timmermans, A.C. and Bell, K. (2003) Composition of Apatite from the Oka Carbonatite Complex, Quebec: implications for melt evolution, poster: IGGRC Conference, 2003.
Current research projects
Current projects are a collaborative effort between the QESC (Supervisor Ann C. Timmermans, Instructor/Curator) and the NB Department of Energy and Resource Development.
Project 1: A geochemical study of mafic to felsic New Brunswick Carboniferous Volcanism
Project 2: Detailed mapping of Carboniferous intrusive mafic magmatism into shallow lacustrine sediment, the Gorge Rocks of the Taylor Island Formation, Irving Nature Park
