Maralee Scott was recently accepted into the NASA Endeavor Science Fellowship Program for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Ms. Scott teaches sixth grade math, science and writing at District 102's Meridian Middle School. A NASA representative contacted Ms. Scott noting, "Your application was one of the top received in a year where NASA received twice the amount as usual." He went on to comment, "Your application showed many examples of the rich support your district provides."
"One of our district science goals this year is to visit STEM schools around the country to see how this model could be implemented in our schools," notes Ms. Scott in her application. "I have a vision for becoming STEM certified through the NASA’s Endeavor Project so that I can learn the best practices for teaching my students and mentoring my colleagues."
Ms. Scott is one of 42 US science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) middle and high school teachers who will have a unique opportunity to work beside NASA engineers and mentors. The innovative program focuses on aeronautics modeling and simulation and provides teachers with the opportunity to experience cutting-edge technology, explore aerospace engineering concepts, and develop hands-on lessons that will engage and inspire students. Ms. Scott will begin the program on January 11, 2012 with a live conference.
During the past decade, there has been a lot of discussion and focus on the need for STEM programs. In 2007, the 110th Congress and President Obama signed the America Competes Act of 2007 which combined earlier major STEM education legislative proposals. In January 2011, Obama emphasized STEM education in his State of the Union. In a Curriculum Matters article, Erik Robelen writes, "President Obama repeatedly talked about the importance of STEM education to the nation's economic well-being, raised concerns about the quality of math and science instruction here, and reiterated his call for recruiting 100,000 new STEM teachers over the next decade."
