As you already know, I am a high school science teacher with a love of all things science. Growing up that was NOT the case. In fact science was my least favorite subject. When I went to college my plan was to be a dental hygienist and with that came A LOT of my least favorite subject.
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| This is Hobbs, our classroom Tiger Salamander |
Long story short, after doing a summer internship in 2 dental offices, I decided that I was NOT cut out to be in yucky mouths all day and after discussions with a mentor of mine, we both felt that teaching was the place for me to be. I am good with people, I am good at explaining things and putting them in contexts that are accessible for children who also feel like science is a struggle. Surprisingly in college after my first year, science was not a struggle at all. I found an amazing tutor who was able to help me make those connections and just like that I went from the bottom of the class to the person everyone was trying to beat. Science was no longer a struggle and it became fun, exciting and amazing.
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| Completing a dissection in my classroom! |
I walk into school everyday ready to make science fun, exciting and amazing for my students and I hope that I do. The feedback I get from my students and parents is great and really does solidify why I do the work that I do.
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| Working in our outdoor classroom, to collect data! |
STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) is at the forefront of every educational discussion out there. We know that our students need these skills, we know that our nation needs these skills and we know that we are behind. We know that girls especially need to be confident in their STEM skills and scientific literacy and we work tirelessly as educators to get all students access to that content.
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| Learning about calories in food, through experimentation |
This is why I am participating Tuesday night in the #STEMchat on twitter and I hope that you will join me. I will be sharing my thoughts on back to school, STEM in the classroom and challenges we are facing and we will be offering some awesome prizes too! Make sure to sign into Twitter on 9/19 at 9 PM EST and join us by using the hashtag #STEMchat! Below are the bios for the other guest hosts, make sure to follow them so you do not miss a beat (or a chance at some awesome prizes!)
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| Me! One of your awesome co-hosts for the chat this week! Sometimes science drawings are questionable… |
- @KimMoldofsky and @STEMchat will host this awesome experience!
- Kim Gonzales (@Kim_gonzales) is a digital content engineer at TI who is passionate about getting more women and Latinas interested in STEM. She is a computer science whiz who received her bachelor’s degree from MIT.
- Laura Trevena-Funk (@LauraT_Funk) is a lifestyle blogger, high school science teacher and a parent of two. She has a bachelor’s in Biology and a master’s degree in STEM education with an emphasis in research.
- Jordan & Jen Reeves (@bornjustright) are a mom and daughter combo. Jordan was born with a left arm that stops just above the elbow. Even at her young age, she’s using STEM, maker inspiration and design knowledge to empower kids to create their own prosthetic arm solutions.
- AnnMarie Thomas (@amptMN) is the founder and director of the Playful Learning Lab, which explores ways to encourage children of all ages to embrace playful learning. She is the author of “Making Makers: Kids, Tools, and the Future of Innovation.” She also teaches STEM in unique classes like Toy Design, Dynamics (with Circus Lab) and Environmental Sustainability/Innovation.
- @NASAEdu Becky Kamas will be tweeting for NASA EDU. She holds a Master’s in Education Technology and her Bachelor’s in Mathematics and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in STEM Education. Becky is a former high school math teacher. Currently, she’s the activity manager for STEM on Station, a NASA Education activity dedicated to bringing space station related opportunities and resources to students and educators.
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| You can bet I will be wearing a pair of these shoes during the chat! |
