MIDLAND — Six Michigan teachers are among 34 from five states who have been selected for the 2016 Dow-CH2M Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program.
The six-day program, part of the Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers, will be held in Washington, D.C. and is designed to heighten STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teachers’ ability to inspire and enlighten their students.
Following the program this summer, the teachers will take their experiences back to their classrooms, while continuing their professional growth through peer networking, mentoring and interaction with Dow and CH2M employee volunteers.
Since 2007, Dow has supported approximately 240 teachers through this partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.
This year, Dow is partnering with CH2M, an engineering company based ni Englewood, Colo., to support the program, in an effort to reinforce the companies’ aligned strategies of building the future STEM workforce, engaging employees in positive community impact, and creating sustainable communities.
Each teacher will participate in one of three professional development sessions in Washington, D.C., on biodiversity; earth’s history and global change; or energy innovations and implications.
Michigan teachers selected for the program included: Gordon Culver, Frankenmuth High School; Mary Jo Griffin, Adams Elementary, Midland Public Schools; Jonathan Massung, Hartley Outdoor Education Center, St. Charles; Shelley Rieger, Kolb Elementary, Bay City Public Schools; Victoria Stoddard, Bay City Western High School; and Laura Trombley, Shields Elementary, Swan Valley School District, Saginaw.
In addition, Dow STEM Ambassadors, a company employee volunteer program, along with CH2M employee volunteers, will provide ongoing engagement to the teachers in their classrooms by offering continued support on various topics including safety, how to bring technical expertise to life for students, and by offering in person STEM-related classroom demonstrations and career talks.
To learn more about SSEATS and the Smithsonian Science Education Center, visit https://ssec.si.edu/professional-development.
More information about Dow’s commitment to building the workforce of tomorrow at www.dow.com/en-us/science-and-sustainability/global-citizenship/building-the-workforce.