Woodland High School teacher Brandie Freeman recently received the 2016 PASCO STEM Educator Award. Granted by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), her application was selected from a pool of STEM teacher applicants from across the United States.
As a PASCO Educator Award recipient, she will receive $5,000 in PASCO Scientific lab
equipment for Woodland High School, a check for $500, and $1000 in expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference. The award will be presented during the NSTA National Conference at the Conference Awards Gala on Friday, April 1, in Nashville.
To apply Freeman submitted a narrative describing how she implements the teaching of STEM in the classroom, examples of student products exhibiting real world application that she collected over the past year, three letters of support and a resume.
She said, “When I got the call from NSTA to notify me that I had been chosen, I was extremely surprised. The pool of applicants on a national level is intimidating, and I am very grateful I was chosen. The recognition is appreciated and humbling. Most of all, I am thrilled to be able to enrich my teaching through attending the NSTA conference and use the new lab tools granted by the award with my students. I am always thankful for the support from Dr. Williams, my principal, and our county office staff.”
Freeman plans to strengthen the STEM classes offered at WHS by using the $5000 in prizes to purchase additional data probes to be used chemistry as well as advanced placement environmental science. She plans to give students a complete STEM experience by merging the mathematical and scientific aspects of the STEM content. Having the ability to collect real-time pH, temperature and pressure readings during investigations with technology will give students greater insights into the subjects.