STEM Innovator

Dr. Whitney Holden, a life sciences specialist at ASMSA, received the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools’ inaugural Innovative STEM Teacher Award.

The award was announced during the organization’s virtual professional conference on Nov. 7. Holden was one of three national finalists for the award. The 2020 NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award celebrates a teacher who works at institutional member schools. The teacher should advance the mission of the member school and STEM education. Each institutional member may nominate only one teacher.

NCSSS is a consortium of approximately 100 member high schools, many “ranked” among the best in the country, along with 55 affiliate members (including colleges, universities, summer programs, foundations, and corporations) located in 32 states that share the goals of transforming mathematics, science, and technology education.

“I’m very honored by this recognition,” Holden said in a video on Twitter after receiving the award. “I love what I do. I also couldn’t do it alone. I want to take this time this school provides a fantastic environment that really encourages innovation in so many ways. Our students are tremendous. They are always willing to try new things and go the extra mile. My colleagues always bring their ‘A’ game, particularly ASMSA’s Dr. (Patrycja) Krakowiak who I work with closely and the many teachers who are enrolled in our biology outreach program.”

Krakowiak is also a life science specialist at ASMSA.

The teacher selected to receive the award was expected to demonstrate how they implemented STEM-infused strategies and innovation in their classroom that connects STEMs to real-world careers that could be replicated by other institutional member schools.

Holden teaches residential students at ASMSA as well as students and educators virtually across Arkansas. At ASMSA, she teaches an independent capstone research class that develops well-rounded, scientifically literate students by focusing on statistical analysis and peer-reviewed literature.

She also serves as co-director with Krakowiak for the Advanced Biology Plus program and the Arkansas Summer Research Institute. In Advanced Biology Plus, Holden provides curriculum and training for Arkansas educators who are teaching Advanced Placement Biology and their students.

Schools participating in the program have seen a larger number of their students who take the AP Biology exam receive a passing score — from 10 percent when the program began to 40 percent. The program accounted for one in every eight Arkansas students who took the AP Biology exam last year.

The Arkansas Summer Research Institute allows underrepresented groups of students of STEM to learn technical skills while also focusing on essential professional skills such as networking, entrepreneurship, and resume writing. ASRI is funded by a grant from the Arkansas National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR).

ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice, who also serves on the national board of NCSSS, nominated Holden for the award.

“Dr. Holden is a sterling example of what is possible when faculty embrace the mission of ASMSA to ignite the potential of students and educators across our state,” Alderdice said.

“In the classroom, in research, and in teacher empowerment, she leads the way for both her colleagues on campus as well as all who wish to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators.”

Holden said that being willing to learn as an educator is important when developing learning opportunities for students.

“Through my work I have found the keys to building truly innovative experiences are mentorship, teamwork, respect, and a willingness to challenge myself as well as my students,” Holden said in a video that was included in her nomination for the award.

Dr. Whitney Holden, a life science specialist at ASMSA, leads a camp for biology instructors across the state via video.

Goodell selected for SMART program

Tristan Goodell (’21) was selected to receive the Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.

SMART is a federal scholarship-for-service program intended to train and retain civilian scientists and mathematicians in critical STEM fields to support the national security mission of the Defense Department and meet defense technological challenges. The program is a onefor-one commitment that pays for all tuition and fees for any accredited American university.

For every year of degree funding up to a maximum of five years, the scholar commits to working for a year with the DoD as a civilian employee. Scholarship awardees also may serve in summer internships at a DoD facility that prepare the scholars for full-time employment and get them accustomed to working with the department, according to the scholarship program’s website. Scholars also receive a stipend of $25,000 a year as well as health insurance.

Goodell’s sponsor facility is the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. The center is DoD’s primary source for foreign air and space threat analysis located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.

Goodell will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. For more information the program, visit smartscholarship.org.

Austin receives Gates Scholarship

Bryson Austin (’21) has been named a recipient of the 2021 Gates Scholarship.

The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards the scholarship to 300 students nationwide with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution. That includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation.

Austin said he heard about the Gates Scholarship from his cousin, who was a previous recipient of the scholarship. He said the application process covered several months because it was divided into phases. Early portions of the application process included preliminary information and recommendations. It ended with applicants writing personal and professional essays. The effort was well worth the results.

“Earning the Gates Scholarship has opened so many doors for me,” Austin said. “I no longer have to worry about college debt because the scholarship covers my need costs. I can go to and transfer to any college I want, and I won’t end up saddled with debt at the end of my education. The scholarship has given me more range in terms of where I want to go, and now all that matters is travel and living expenses.”

Austin said he plans to major in business administration and political science with potential minors in history and French.

He was on his way to class when he found out that he had been selected for the scholarship.

“I remember the day I got the news vividly,” he said. “I was walking out of my best friend’s room on my way to edit photos in the Mac lab for photography, and when I opened my email, the congratulations was waiting for me. I stopped, turned around, and ran back to tell them that I would not be paying a cent for my education – ever. Later, I did feel numb, but I was just so glad to be unburdened and successful.”

Austin offered special thanks to his family, friends, and teachers who have helped him throughout his educational career and time at ASMSA.

“(Former ASMSA entrepreneurship instructor) Steve Rice has been an excellent mentor and moral guide; (humanities instructor) James Katowich has been a hero and perfect instructor; and all of my friends that have stood with me through every trip and rise have made this possible. I could not be happier,” Austin said.

For more information about The Gates Scholarship, visit thegatesscholarship.org.