Alison Blanco, M.S.
Educator, Environmental Scientist
Engaging students through active participation in science and nature

Science
Science
Science

Nature
Nature
Nature

Hands-On Projects
Hands-On Projects
Hands-On Projects
Experience & Activities
Alison Blanco, M.S. is an environmental scientist and a science educator. She has an M.S. in Environmental Science from Florida Gulf Coast University and a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Florida. Alison has a passion for all things related to science and nature. She is currently working on a long-term project with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission involving the endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) and fire in Florida.
Alison has taught in various forms for the past 19 years. She began as a public school teacher, and now teaches at homeschool co-ops, where she focuses on hands-on learning, and on online platforms, in which she seeks to engage students through active participation. She also has four children of her own, all of whom are homeschooled.
When not teaching, Alison enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, camping, and traveling. She lives in Florida with her family of 6 humans, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. She and her family travel in their RV and love to partake in new adventures and learning experiences.
Alison's Classes
Date | Class | Subject Filter | Age Level | Filter by Age | Class Type | Filter by Class Type | Teacher | Filter by Teacher | Price | Availability | Filter by Availability | Live Meetings |
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August 11 - 25, 2022 | Read and Meet: Tiger Honor | ELA | 10-13+ | middle | Live | live | Dr. Sabrina Weiss | sweiss | $45 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 2pm Eastern |
August 15 - September 12, 2022 | Parent/Guardian Teaching Writing Workshop Series | History | Adults | adult | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $50 | Space Available | open | Mondays at 3pm Eastern |
August 15 - September 12, 2022 | Middle School Writing Workshop Series | ELA | 11-13 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $40 | Class Full | closed | Mondays 12-12:45pm Eastern |
August 15 - September 12, 2022 | High School Writing Workshop Series | ELA | 14-18 | high | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $40 | Space Available | open | Mondays 1-1:45pm Eastern |
August 22-October 16, 2022 | Middle School Writing with Sugar Changed the World (Fall 2022) | ELA | 11-14 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $220 | Class Full | closed | Tuesdays at 11-11:45am Eastern |
August 22-October 16, 2022 | Middle School Writing Foundations: Note-taking and summary Fall 2022 | ELA | 11-14 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $220 | Class Full | closed | Tuesdays at 1-1:45pm Eastern |
August 22-October 16, 2022 | Middle School Writing Foundations: Note-taking and summary Fall 2022 (Session 2-Thursdays) | ELA | 11-14 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $220 | Class Full | closed | Thursdays at 3-3:45pm Eastern |
August 30, 2022 - April 4, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Tuesday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $600 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3pm Eastern Time |
August 30, 2022 - October 11, 2022 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 1 Tuesday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3pm Eastern Time |
August 30 – October 4, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 1 Tuesday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $125 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 2pm ET |
August 30 – November 15, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 1 & 2 Bundle Tuesday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $250 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 2pm ET |
September 1 – November 17, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 1 & 2 Bundle Thursday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $250 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 2pm ET |
September 1 – October 6, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 1 Thursday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $125 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 2pm ET |
September 1 - October 13, 2022 | Exploring Philosophy with the Good Place (Middle School): Season 3 | Misc | 11-13 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $60 | Space Available | open | Thurs at 1pm E |
September 1 - October 20, 2022 | American Trans History | History | 13-18 | high | Live | live | Joshua Jernigan | jjernigan | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 3:00pm EST |
September 1, 2022 - April 6, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Thursday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $600 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3pm Eastern Time |
September 1, 2022 - October 13, 2022 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 1 Thursday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3pm Eastern Time |
September 1 - October 20, 2022 | American Queer History 1 | History | 13-18 | high | Live | live | Joshua Jernigan | jjernigan | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 1:30pm EST |
September 5-December 18, 2022 | High School Literature: Classics and Film Adaptations 2 (Fall 2022) | ELA | 14-18 | high | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $350 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 11-11:45am Eastern |
September 6 - December 13, 2022 | Biology Semester 1 | Science | 12+ | middle | Live | live | Alison Blanco | ablanco | $350 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 pm EST |
September 6 - October 11, 2022 | Prominent Figures in Queer History | History | 6-10 | elementary | Live | live | Joshua Jernigan | jjernigan | $125 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays at 3pm EST |
September 6 - October 18, 2022 | Heroes of Queer History | History | 10-13 | middle | Live | live | Joshua Jernigan | jjernigan | $130 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays at 4pm EST |
September 7 - December 15, 2022 | Wolves, Kitchen Science, Waves, & Plants | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $285 | Class Full | closed | Wednesdays at 10am PT |
September 7 - December 14, 2022 | Microbiology | Science | 9-13 | elementary, middle | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $375 | Space Available | open | Wednesdays at 12 p.m. PST |
September 7 - 21, 2022 | Wolves | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Class Full | closed | Wednesdays at 10am PT |
September 7 - December 14, 2022 | Chemistry 2 - Semester 1 | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | 3 spots left | open | Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. PST |
September 7 - May 24, 2022 | Chemistry 2 - Semester 1&2 Bundle | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | 3 spots left | open | Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. PST |
September 8 - December 15, 2022 | Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | Science | 10-13 | middle | Live | live | Alison Blanco | ablanco | $275 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3:00-4:00 pm EST |
September 8 - December 15, 2022 | Beavers, Flight, Historical Inventions, Dinosaurs | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $285 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 9/8, 9/15, 9/22/2022 |
September 8 - December 15, 2022 | Chemistry 2 - Semester 1 | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | Class Full - Second Session Opened | closed | Thursdays at 11 a.m. PST |
September 8 - May 25, 2022 | Chemistry 2 - Semester 1&2 Bundle | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | Class Full - Second Session Opened | closed | Thursdays at 11 a.m. PST |
September 8 - 22, 2022 | Engineering Basics with Beavers | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | 5 spots left | open | Thursdays 9:30 a.m. PST |
September 8 - December 15, 2022 | Kitchen Chemistry | Science | 9-13 | elementary, middle | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $375 | Class Full | closed | Thursdays at 1 pm PST |
September 12-December 11, 2022 | High School Writing with Outliers (Fall 2022) | ELA | 13-18 | high | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $325 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3-3:45pm Eastern |
September 15 - October 2, 2022 | Paper Circuitry! Make Electric Designs and Games | Making | 11-13 | middle | Live | live | Kathy Ceceri, B.A. | kceceri | $135 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 4pm ET /3pm CT / 2pm MT/1pm PT |
October 5 - 19, 2022 | Kitchen Science | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Class Full | closed | Wednesdays at 10am PT |
October 6 - 20, 2022 | Flight | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | 6 spots left | open | Thursday 10/6, 13, 20 at 9:30 a.m. PST |
October 11 – November 15, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 2 Tuesday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $125 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 2pm ET |
October 13 - November 10, 2022 | BOTS 1: Build Simple Robots! (Fall 2022) | Making | 8-11 | elementary | Live | live | Kathy Ceceri, B.A. | kceceri | $185 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 4pm ET/ 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT |
October 13 – November 17, 2022 | Heart And Soul: The Story of America and African Americans Pt 2 Thursday | History | 6-9 | elementary | Live | live | Alycia M. Wright, M.Ed | awright | $125 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 2pm ET |
October 18, 2022 - December 6, 2022 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 2 Tuesday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3pm Eastern Time |
October 20, 2022 - December 8, 2022 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 2 Thursday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3pm Eastern Time |
October 27-December 8, 2022 | Exploring Philosophy with the Good Place (Middle School): Season 4 | Misc | 11-13 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $60 | Space Available | open | Thurs at 1pm E |
October 24-December 18, 2022 | Middle School Writing with Think for Yourself (Fall 2022) | ELA | 11-14 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $220 | Class Full | closed | Tuesdays at 11-11:45am Eastern |
October 24-December 18, 2022 | Middle School Writing Foundations: Narratives | ELA | 11-14 | middle | Live | live | Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason | mparrinellocason | $220 | Class Full | closed | Tuesdays at 1-1:45pm Eastern |
November 2 - 16, 2022 | Waves | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | 1 spot left | open | Wednesdays at 10am PT |
November 3-17, 2022 | Historical Inventions | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | 6 spots left | open | Thursday 11/3, 12, 17 at 9:30 a.m. PST |
November 17 - December 22, 2022 | More BOTS: Code-Design-Build Projects for Kids (Fall 2022) | Making | 8-11 | elementary | Live | live | Kathy Ceceri, B.A. | kceceri | $195 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 4pm ET / 3 pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm Pacific |
November 30 - December 14, 2022 | Plants | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | 3 spots left | 3 spots left | Wednesdays at 10am PT |
December 1 - 15, 2022 | Dinosaurs | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Thursday 12/1, 8, 15 at 9:30 a.m. PST |
January 3, 2023 - February 14, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 3 Tuesday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3pm Eastern Time |
January 5, 2023 - February 16, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 3 Thursday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3pm Eastern Time |
January 10 – May 16 , 2023 | Biology 2 - Semester 2 | Science | 12+ | middle | Live | live | Alison Blanco | ablanco | $350 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 pm EST |
January 12 – April 20, 2023 | Fundamentals of Physics | Science | 10-13 | middle | Live | live | Alison Blanco | ablanco | $275 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3:00-4:00 pm EST |
January 18 - May 17, 2023 | Marine Science: The Biology, Chemistry, and Geology of the Ocean | Science | 8-12 | elementary, middle | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $425 | Space Available | open | Wednesday at 12pm PST |
January 18 - February 1, 2023 | Engineering Basics with Beavers | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Wednesdays 1/18-2/1/2023 at 10 am PST |
January 18 - May 10, 2023 | Beavers, Flight, Historical Inventions, Dinosaurs | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $285 | Space Available | open | Wednesdays 10 a.m. PST |
January 18 - May 24, 2023 | Chemistry 2 Semester 2 | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | 3 spots left | open | Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. PST |
January 19 - May 25, 2023 | Chemistry 2 Semester 2 | Science | 12+ | middle, high | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $475 | Class Full - Second Session Opened | closed | Thursdays at 11am PS |
January 19 - May 18, 2023 | Applied Conservation Biology | Science | 9-13 | elementary, middle | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $425 | Space Available | open | Thursdays at 1 pm PST |
February 15 - March 1, 2023 | Historical Inventions | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Wednesday 2/15, 2/22, 3/1/2023 at 10am PST |
February 21, 2023 - April 4, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 4 Tuesday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Tuesdays 3pm Eastern Time |
February 23, 2023 - April 6, 2023 | A Young People’s History of the United States - Part 4 Thursday Section | History | 10-14 | middle | Live | live | Alycia Wright, M.Ed. | awright | $150 | Space Available | open | Thursdays 3pm Eastern Time |
March 29 - April 12, 2023 | Dinosaurs | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Wednesday 3/29, 4/5, 4/12/2023 at 10am PST |
April 26 - May 10, 2023 | Flight | Science | 7-11 | elementary | Live | live | Blair Lee, M.S. | blee | $80 | Space Available | open | Wednesday 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 at 10am PST |
Latest Courses
What Families Are Saying
Alison Blanco is a great teacher who teaches a great course. Big History is a vast subject that covers at a perfect depth the history of the universe and human race, and the highly organized teacher that is Mrs. Blanco is the perfect guide on such a journey. Cooper S.

Alison Blanco is a great teacher who teaches a great course
Teacher: Alison BlancoMy daughter has studied science with Alison for over six years and has loved it! Alison is a natural. She takes complex information and breaks it down into understandable and usable chunks. Last year I was so thrilled with the Big History Project curriculum and the way in which Alison taught the class. She made it fun and interesting for the students. Each week she had breakout sessions so the kids could develop their teamwork and cooperation skills while learning Big History in a unique way. Sandra J.

Alison takes complex information and breaks it down into understandable and usable chunks
Teacher: Alison BlancoMs. Alison is a really great teacher and has the ability to teach complex subjects in an easy to understand way, while also making it fun and interesting. Over the year we learned about many different scientists, human evolution, what the world was like thousands of years ago and many more things, all of which Ms. Alison taught in an interactive and entertaining way that made it enjoyable and memorable. M.J.K.

Ms. Alison is a really great teacher and has the ability to teach complex subjects in an easy to understand way
Teacher: Alison BlancoThe Big History Project really opened my eyes to a lot of new topics and subjects that I would’ve never known I was so interested in without it! Having Alison as a teacher made me feel comfortable to share my ideas and thoughts, and to be encouraged to learn more even outside of class! Camryn M

Having Alison as a teacher made me feel comfortable to share my ideas and thoughts
Teacher: Alison BlancoBig History was an amazing class; I learned quite a lot of information and overall the class experience was very enjoyable and fun. I had a great time with the assignments, as they pushed me to do my best as a student and I received vital writing and cooperation skills as the class continued. Overall it was a great class and I would definitely take it (or something similar) again soon. Ada B.

Big History was an amazing class
Teacher: Alison BlancoOnline Teaching Policies for Alison Blanco
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Refunds & Withdrawls
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Class Cancellations
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Class Participation
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Homework and Late Work
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Respecting Students
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Student Behavior
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Response to Behavioral Concerns
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Recording and Privacy Policy
Students will receive a full refund if they withdraw before the first day of class. Students who withdraw after class begins will receive a prorated refund based on the time remaining in the class.
If a student feels the need to withdraw from class for schedule conflicts, or because they are struggling with class content (too easy or too hard), I am happy to work with students and parents to find solutions.
(NOTE: Refunds made more than 30 days from purchase date will be charged a 10% administrative processing fee.)
Courses may be cancelled if the minimum number of enrollees has not been met. I will do so at least 48 hours before class begins and issue full refunds.
In the event of a teacher emergency that requires me to cancel an individual session, I will work with students to reschedule a session, or send a pre-recorded class video.
In the rare event of an emergency that requires me to cancel a substantial portion of the class, I will either find a substitute or issue prorated refunds for the class. If I must find a substitute, families will have the option to receive a prorated refund instead of continuing the class.
Students have different comfort levels and experiences participating in online class environments. My courses require class participation, which will include class discussion, presentations, and small group work. For that reason, I ask that students keep their cameras on. If a student needs to have privacy, they can turn their cameras off for a short time. This will ensure that students get the most out of the courses.
There will be homework for all courses that is expected to be completed before students come to class. Often, the completion of homework is necessary for the students to complete their in-class assignments.
If a student is having problems finishing homework, either because it is too challenging, or for any other reason, I ask that they reach out to me so that we can work through it together or find an alternate assignment.
If students choose not to do some or all assignments, students may stay in the class. However, I will only issue letter grades and certificates of completion to students who have completed the assignments for that particular class.
Assignments turned in late will be docked one letter grade for each week that the assignment is late, starting the day after the due date. If there is a good reason that a student needs an extension, please reach out to me. Work that is turned in late may be late receiving feedback. I will not accept assignments past two weeks after the last class.
Respect is an important foundational factor in the development and maintenance of a healthy learning environment. It is respect that opens space for the development of trust and learning. As your students’ teacher, I will:
- Call learners by their preferred name and use their preferred pronouns.
- Discuss rules in the beginning of the course and reinforce the rules throughout the course.
- Help make materials and coursework accessible for all students, regardless of differing abilities.
- Encourage discussion outside of class and answer any questions in a timely manner ( within 24 hours).
- Give constructive feedback that respects the efforts learners have made.
It is of utmost importance that all students have a safe and enjoyable classroom experience. All students should be treated with respect by both the instructor and the other students. Bullying, name calling, discrimination, or jokes aimed at other students will not be tolerated. Please contact me immediately if your student is experiencing any of these issues without my knowledge.
Students should be actively engaged in class at all times. A quiet place to take class where there are minimal distractions is important. They should not have other windows open on the computers that will distract them from classroom activities.
General rules:
- Mute microphones if there is excessive background noise.
- If we are in a large class, we will use the “raise hand” feature before speaking.
- All chats should remain on the course topics and be respectful.
- Students must wear clothing when on camera.
- Only one student per camera.
- No off-topic chatting during class.
- No name calling, bullying, or unwanted private messaging.
- No sharing contact information with other students during class.
- No disruptive behavior that distracts other learners (such as constantly changing background screen, changing screen name to something silly, making faces at the camera, etc.)
I am happy to work with the students and families to mitigate behavior concerns, rather than remove a student from the classroom or limit their participation.
For behavior infractions, the following steps may be taken. The teacher may skip steps if the infraction is more serious.
- Disable particular functions of the online classroom (for example, turn off private chat, manually mute microphones, turn off a video feed).
- Privately reach out to a student to ask them to stop the behavior during class.
- Reach out to students and their parents after class to come up with a solution to a behavioral issue.
- Require a parent/guardian to be present during live sessions in the event of repeat behavioral violations.
- Remove a student from live sessions but allow them to continue in the rest of the course and send recordings.
- Remove a student from the class.
All live sessions will be recorded and stored for 12 months. The recorded sessions publicly or with other learners in the class. (Any make-up sessions will include a video summary without learner participation to protect learner privacy).
If there is a classroom incident, recordings may be shared with individuals (such as parents/guardians of involved participants) involved in the discussion of any classroom incident. Recordings may also be shared with a third-party (such as a charter school), as required by their safety protocols.
Get in touch with Alison Blanco