Profile
Naomi Foster
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About Me:
I’m Naomi and I live in Durham. I work in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, getting people outdoors and helping them to learn about the geology and landscape of the area. I like going for walks, reading books and playing games. I’m a leader in Girlguiding and I play the bassoon with a band.
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Read more
I grew up in Nottingham and moved to Durham when I went to university. I am now 35. My favourite places to walk are usually up hills, along valleys or by the sea – anywhere with beautiful scenery. I also love visiting historic places like castles. My favourite books are fantasy. I’m currently reading lots by Brandon Sanderson. I like both computer games and board games, but I’m usually not very good at them.
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I work in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. Most of my work is running activities for school groups and families to explore the geology and other stuff in the area.
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Read more
The North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark is a hilly area west of Durham and Newcastle. It’s a very special landscape with great geology and wildlife and not many people living in it. I bring primary school groups into the area to enjoy being outdoors and learn about the landscape, rocks and fossils and other parts of nature. I also organise events for families and sometimes for adults. Some of the activities we do are more about science and some are more about art. Really they’re all about enjoying the outdoors and noticing the world around us. I also meet up with people from other Geoparks all over the world, which is brilliant. I get to talk to lots of interesting people and visit some fantastic places.
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Education:
I went to a school near Nottingham. I went to my local sixth-form college, which was shared between my school and another one. Then I went to Durham University and studies Natural Sciences, which means you can study bits of more than one subject. I did biology, archaeology and geology.
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Qualifications:
I did GCSEs in English, Maths, Science, French, German, History, Music, Textiles and Drama.
I did A levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths, History and English Literature.
At university I did a degree (BSc) in Natural Sciences.
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Work History:
Before my current job, I worked at the Life Science Centre for almost 8 years, first as a Science Explainer and then as a Public Engagement Officer. I did things like write planetarium shows, come up with science shows and demonstrations and train people to perform them, planned events for young children, taught school workshops and once I even did a stand up comedy set.
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Current Job:
My job title is Geology Projects Officer. I have been in this job for 6 and a half years. In this job I have run activities in primary schools and taken school groups out on trips, run events for families and for adults, given talks, led walks, prepared panels and leaflets to help people explore the area, run online workshops, organised art projects, made videos with young people and met people from other Geoparks all over the world.
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Employer:
North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, hosted by Durham County Council.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
helping people explore
What did you want to be after you left school?
Archaeologist, or maybe a doctor
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Don't know, maybe a tour guide or a writer
Who is your favourite singer or band?
All sorts, but my favourite are film soundtracks
What's your favourite food?
Christmas pudding
Tell us a joke.
What did the cheese say when it looked in the mirror? Halloo me!
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