This has been an amazing externship experience. One of the many ideas that I think would be beneficial to my students is how I can use my research experience to make their science education relevant. We all have students who ask “Why are we doing this?”, Why do we need to know this?” Or my personal favorite “What are we doing?” I am constantly trying to find ways to make real life connections for my students. This year, I will be doing an activity that examines Nanotechnology and the environment. I will explain how nano particles such as pollen, viruses, and ash are present throughout our environment. This connection of nanotechnology and the environment can provide my students with an idea of the relevance and importance of understanding nano science, earth/environmental science, and science in general.
Another activity that I would like to do with my students is to have them participate in a Technology Challenge. My colleagues and I have been discussing ways that we can continue our work here throughout our school year, while maintaining contact with each other. We have discussed the idea of putting together a Technology Challenge that our students can participate in, where they would construct a device that used nanotechnology to solve a global health issue. This challenge would give my students an opportunity to collaborate with other 6-12 schools, college students, and college faculty. This would strengthen the relationship with NC State and the school systems in our area, as well as fostering the minds of our future engineers, scientists, and citizens.
There are many other possibilities to connect my externship experience to my classroom. Interdisciplinary lessons, field trips to my externship site, and are just a few other possible connections. The most important connection that I will bring back to my classroom is a renewed energy for STEM education, and for teaching in general. This past year was difficult for all of us as educators for reasons that were often beyond our control. My Kenan Fellows experience this summer, from start to finish, has provided me with the affirmation that there are a lot of great educators out here who, in spite of the current climate of education, are just as eager as I am to provide our students with an enlightening and worthwhile educational experience.