WKU News

Ten middle school science teachers from around the country are more motivated than ever to get students excited about math and science.

That’s because they attended the National STEM Scholar Program at WKU as Amy Bingham explains in this week’s View from the Hill.

“I have never had so much fun in my life.”

Carey Hancey from Virginia is one of the 10 middle school science teachers selected as a 2022 STEM scholar.

“I love professional development so anytime I can get ideas, especially from people like in this cohort, it’s amazing what you will add to your teacher tool box and take with you.”

This is the seventh class selected since a partnership was created between the National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science.

“We have 70 STEM scholars now in 31 states and by next June they will have collectively reached 83,000 middle school kids in the United States.“

Featured speaker Michelle Lucas, who spent 10 years at NASA, talked to the scholars about a company she founded to inspire a passion for STEM.

“She then left NASA and formed a 501-C3 called Higher Orbits to get students engaged in science in a way that would get them excited about STEM fields by using space as inspiration.”

But the bulk of the week was spent developing each teacher’s “Big Idea” which they will receive $2,500 to implement.

“Once the funding is approved then the products come to us and then we’re able to start implementing our big idea."

Big ideas that may inspire big dreams in the STEM field.

“These are the teachers who will help kids make those decisions in middle school that will change their lives.”

In addition to the $2,500 to fund their Big Idea, each scholar is mentored by WKU Master Faculty throughout the year.