Craig Messerman is a 9th and 10th grade physical science and biology teacher at Sentinel High School in Missoula, Mont. He has been teaching science in Montana since 1988, after earning his teaching credentials and undergraduate degree in geology from the University of Montana. In 2000 he received an M.S. in Science Education from Montana State University. While at Sentinel High School, he has collaborated on freshman teaching teams and smaller-learning communities, and he is currently working on a freshman STEM Academy to be implemented in 2014.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)