In my heart, I am a science teacher. I love to extract DNA, make squishy circuits,
dissect owl pellets, type blood, separate pigments in plants, and do anything
else that explores the world through the scientific process. But I am not a traditional teacher. So why did I go to the State conference? When I realized how productive the day was, I
just had to share my experience with the ISTA Committee. Professionally, I
wanted to support and connect with my colleagues from ISU, ISGC, ISTA, and
PLT. I have had the privilege of
teaching a Science Methods class this semester for ISU, and it has been a great
experience to work with Dr. Wendy Ruchti.
We had a few minutes to catch up after her session. I connected with Michele Youngquist from PLT,
and we made a plan for the ISU students I teach to go through a workshop. They LOVED the activities and resources that
we covered the next week in class. I
attended a Rock session with Judy Walling, got a great set of rocks, and sent
her cocqina rock the next week because she mentioned in class that she would
love that particular sample of sedimentary rock to show others. Well, I had some so now she does too! I attended the session about NASA, and even
though Tony and other federal representatives had to miss the Conference, the
other presenters didn’t skip a beat. I
came back with calendars for my teaching friends so they also know how cool the
ISGC Program is. I met Chris from Boise,
since I like to read his articles, and we decided to swap stories about Science
Methods since he teaches the same class for BSU. I also came right home and made the wood
blocks for students and teachers and passed those out like candy! I got to see Erin Johnson from Aberdeen, and
she said she wants to teach at my CSI Science Camp next summer. We met several years ago at iSTEM when she
was in my strand. She also told me about
RAFT kits, and those have been cool to explore. Jo Dodds found me and asked about replacement parts for the "black boxes" I build for iSTEM.
Well, those are still on the way to her but she will get them! At
lunch, I sat with a table of teachers and we exchanged favorite websites. I grabbed a Geological map for my friend’s Earth
Science classroom. I shared information
about the CSI Girls and STEM Day with teachers from my area. I came back very excited about the people we
have in place throughout the state as we move forward. I don’t have a K12 classroom, but I advocate
for science education on a daily basis.
I am so grateful for the State Conference and the people that volunteer
to make it successful. Thanks for a
great day!!!
