This hands-on experience with the Kenan/ASSIST program will have a lasting impact on my teaching practices.  I am excited at the thought of genuinely engaging students in science and technology with a burst of renewed enthusiasm.  As I embark on another year of being in the classroom, I will be better prepared with a wider array of meaningful ideas and resources to capture interest and foster creativity.  So the big question, what aspects of this experience will I utilize?  I would like to say all of it however, this will be a continuously learning venture and from the looks of things I am far from running out of resources. I intend to plug things in where they are applicable.  One area I see absolutely fitting is the introduction of the ‘One Health’ initiative during the unit on Ecology.  The idea of utilizing sensors in monitoring human and animal health I know for a fact will strike a chord with my students.     Kids take ownership of the lesson when they are granted the opportunity to be creative.

Furthermore, as a result of this experience, I can speak with some level of confidence that would be convincing to students to explore STEM careers.   I will be relentless in discussing with my students that there is a world that exist beyond what their eyes can see. My students will now be able to conceptualize not just something being tiny but the word “nona” will now be familiar.  The cool thing about Nanoscience is that for every unit that I teach, I can engage students to add to their thinking particles on the nanoscale.  I also would want to have my students complete a demo on a topic of their interest just like I have been required to do.  In a fantasy world, the thought did enter my mind of having my students create wearable sensors that utilizes the 3D printers. With all the time constraints that educators have to deal with throughout the year it will take meticulous mapping out on my part.  It is my long term goal that throughout the year my student will continually be expose to concepts in regards to particles on the macro, micro, and nano scale.  In a nutshell, I am excited to weave into my curriculum this extraordinary experience; to not do so, would be neglecting my passion for science.  I look forward to a fulfilling year of engagement, discoveries, and exploration!