#1 Be the best possible STEM educator I can be. Now that I am a couple of weeks in to the program, I have found that my ultimate goal remains constant. If I do anything in education, it needs to benefit my students. They are the reason I go to work each day. It will be exciting to tell the students about how our unit vocabulary words are a part of the daily language at Bayer Crop, such as inherited traits, DNA, ecosystem, humidity, and photosynthesis. When I entered the Bee Care Center, I saw the same safety symbols I have discussed with my students (pictured below). It is neat to see these foundational ideas woven into the workplace.

#2 Develop the “Making Science Make Sense” program. Bayer Crop employees will be using this program as they volunteer and present in local science classrooms (see next week’s blog). With some adjustments, this will be curriculum Lindsey and I submit for our Kenan product. We will adapt it for the intended audience for both publications (Bayer employees and classroom teachers). I am looking forward to piloting these programs in my classroom, because it is very closely connected with my own curriculum.

#3 A new goal: Promote agricultural awareness.  I do not know exactly what that will look like at this point, but my time at Bayer Crop has opened by eyes to the importance of agricultural science. In the schools where I have taught, agriculture has not been on the curriculum radar. However, the world population is expected to be around 10 million by 2050. With a growing population, the demand for food will continue to rise and the availability of natural resources for farming will decrease. As long as humans continue to eat, agricultural research will be essential. We need to raise a generation of students ready to handle this challenge.

#4  Encourage students to pursue STEM careers. By developing problem thinking skills in my students, I am proactively addressing the need for a STEM-ready workforce. I recently read a report (I wished I could remember where), that most scientists expressed an interest in science by the age of 11. Yes, that is fifth grade! My students! If we wait until middle school to grow their love for science, we miss a window that may never open again. Students need to see themselves as scientists. When asked to draw a scientist, most elementary aged students draw a picture of a Caucasian male in a white lab coat with glasses. This stereotype may very well prevent some of my students from pursing a genuine interest in science, because they do not see it as a feasible career for themselves. Even for students who choose to pursue a career outside of the STEM world, they need basic scientific literacy to make choices as a citizen and a consumer. For example, many people do not know what is meant by the word organic and are understandably cautious about what they eat. Accurate information promotes wise choices, rather than decisions based on fear and rumors from social media. An ability to read and decipher scientific text will be an essential skill for students to be well-adapted into a technology driven society.

#5 Network as much as possible. Our week at NCCAT was instrumental in getting to know the other fellows. It was neat to hear about others’ projects, and the ideas they already incorporate into their classrooms. I LOVE hearing what others are doing for their students. One of my favorite teacher adages is “beg, borrow, and steal.” I find the best educators are as equally excited to share as they are to receive. Lindsey also teaches fifth grade, and I am sure we will be sharing resources all year! As long as I am intentional about networking, there will be results I cannot yet perceive. It is also important to network at Bayer Crop, because I am learning so much from the people there. For example, Kurt works in the greenhouse and is an amazing resource to learn about biotechnology. He will be sharing with my students this year. Also, I am hoping to have him review the Making Science Make Sense materials to identify if there are any potential scientific misconceptions in the way the material is presented to students. I believe one of our best resources will always be people, and I do not want to miss an opportunity.

WOW! It will be a busy year! I am ready!

Today’s Takeaway: Learn as much as you can, whenever you can from whomever you can. (That’s my plan for getting the most out of my fellowship!)