Hello everyone! I knew before the Kenan Fellowship and Summer Institute started that this experience would be one of the most unique opportunities of my professional career (past, present, and future).
There are many things I hope to get out of this experience. I am a firm believer that personal and professional relationships with those around you, especially with those who share similar interests and professional beliefs, are of extreme importance. Although I have worked with youth for over a decade, I am still new to the teaching profession. My biggest hope for this fellowship is to create a network of colleagues that share a similar passion and interest in not only forging what the future STEM education classroom setting can look like but also ones who share a similar passion for improving the lives of youth.
Another hope of mine is to learn how the engineering design process is applied in a professional setting. I have a pretty extensive knowledge of the design process through my schooling and background. After spending two days last week with my mentor at Bosch Rexroth and being able to walk through the production areas, engineering stations, etc., how I have used the engineering design process in the classroom, although successful, has not scratched the surface of its actual potential in empowering youth to learn and apply their knowledge using 21st Century Skills. I am excited to work with varying engineers, product sales, customer service, and other professionals that make an advanced STEM company tick. I hope to use this chance to form an extensive network of professional STEM contacts that can hopefully be a guiding light for myself and my students moving forward in regards to Integrative STEM Education.