Science

In Science, we are inspired by curiosity, skepticism, and a passion to use these skills for the service of others. It is our goal as a science department to promote critical thinking skills and a foundation for scientific literacy.  We will promote opportunities that are tailored for each student to match their personal goals and skills.    


Freshmen students at Manitou will take physical science to gain a foundational understanding of the natural world before their sophomore year coursework in biology.  When students enter their Junior year they will have the opportunity to choose between chemistry, earth / space science, and environmental science. Students are also encouraged to take senior level science coursework that includes Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, Advanced Placement (AP) Physics, and Anatomy & Physiology. 

science


Faculty:

Ben Mack - Ben has been teaching at Manitou Springs High School since 2003. Ben has an undergraduate degree in Biology with an emphasis in molecular genetics from CSU-Pueblo, and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UCCS. Ben is originally from Anchorage Alaska where he developed a great appreciation for the outdoors and the science of life. Ben brings lab experience to MSHS as part of a published research team investigating “molecular switches” in the genomes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ben currently teaches Biology I, Biology I honors and AP Biology. In his free time, Ben enjoys exploring the outdoors and traveling the world with his wife and two daughters.


Alicia Mauer

I have been teaching high school science in the Pikes Peak region for 15 years. I graduated from Manitou Springs High School in 2002! I went to University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for undergraduate and graduate school. I also attended the University of Northern Colorado for additional graduate work. I'm passionate about life science, chemistry, and environmental science in particular. I have taught AP Environmental, Chemistry, Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology over the time I have been in education. I view science education as a platform to build scientific literacy and environmental stewardship into communities. I coached a competitive environmental science team that won the State Envirothon Competition in 2023 and went on to the North American Competition in New Brunswick, Canada in July of this year. Outside of my teaching career I have a husband and two children and we have lived in Woodland Park since 2009. I enjoy backpacking, running, reading, cooking, art, and biking.



Andrew Slama - Andrew joined the Manitou Science department in 2017. He majored in history & pre-medicine at Montana State University before finishing his masters at the Chicago Medical School in Biomedical Science. He enjoys exploring Colorado and the world with his wife Summer and their two dogs Circus and Minion.

Julia Jackson - Julia Jackson teaches Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and Physical Science at Manitou Springs High School. She joined the Mustang family in January of 2019 after graduating from UCCS with her undergraduate degree in Chemistry - Secondary Education. Ms. Jackson has been in Colorado Springs since 2010, after moving here with her family from Fargo, North Dakota. In her free time she enjoys reading, doing yoga, spending time with her family and her dog, Tucker, and being as close to the mountains as possible.

Mike Talbott - Mike joined Manitou Springs High School in 2014 after retiring from the US Army after 30 years of service. He majored in Electrical Engineering at the US Military Academy at West Point, and later received his Masters in Systems Engineering at Case Western Reserve University and Masters in Strategic Leadership at the US War College. Mike and his wife Navarre were married in 1980 and have three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys baseball, hiking and traveling.