The fellowship has changed me in a few ways professionally. Throughout the experience, I observed non-education professionals and how what they do in the lab relates to my curriculum. I was able to use this experience to provide examples to students of how curriculum and skills they are learning in the classroom can be applied to industry in the real-world outside of school. In addition to observing how professionals work in other fields, I also got the experience of learning about equipment used in various industries that I can incorporate into my classroom (Lilypad Arduino).

It isn’t just the experience of working with new equipment and learning about applications of skills in industry but also professional development. The fellowship provided me the experience of growing professionally by working with peers, getting insight into the inner political workings of the school systems, in addition to job shadowing professionals in industries related to the curriculum. These opportunities changed (updated) examples I use in the classroom. I am able to refer to current project that can inspire students to pursue career pathways they otherwise would not have exposure to so early. This exposure comes in the form is using industry related equipment, interacting with guest speakers from curriculum related industries, and viewing resources of information they can use in and outside of the classroom.