Features
Education student helping children foster interest in STEM subjects
M
By Jim Carlson
aria Rebecca Duiker is interested in promoting STEMrelated courses because she believes it to be critically important for others younger than she to have rich experiences in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The third-year elementary and early childhood education major in Penn State’s College of Education is an intern in the Teaching Elementary Science Leadership Academy (TESLA). She also has a paid internship at Discovery Space Museum in State College where elementary and early childhood education majors can build confidence in STEM teaching and take on leadership roles. “There are a lot of reasons why STEM is important in the classroom but, primarily, if we are going to create a new generation that is able to make discoveries and contribute to the knowledge base that we have right now, we need students in classrooms who are becoming experienced in STEM-related subjects,” Duiker said. “Giving children a space where they’re able to engage in discovery will capture their interest, and they might grow up to be the next generation of scientists, doctors or other STEM professionals. STEM involves a lot of creativity … fostering creativity in our young children is vital to create a society that is better able to engage with writing, reading, the sciences and math in critical ways.” Carmen Vanderhoof, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, said the TESLA program was re-launched in
6 Penn State Education
Photos provided
Maria Rebecca Duiker conducts an experiment at the Discovery Space Museum to help students interested in STEM subjects.
January 2021 with the mission to provide access to STEM education to local families at Discovery Space. A contributing factor, she said, is that the COVID-19 pandemic forced many elementary schools to reduce instructional time for science, further increasing inequities. “Our TESLA interns gained valuable teaching experience by planning and teaching workshops, volunteering on the exhibit floor at Discovery Space and helping with day camps,” Vanderhoof said. “One of our main program goals is for our pre-service teachers to develop leadership and STEM teaching skills so that one day when they get their
own classrooms, they can act as advocates for elementary STEM education.” The volunteer hours at Discovery Space and experience in a classroom-like setting appealed to Duiker, a State College Area High School graduate who also is completing a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certification. “When I saw this opportunity to practice teaching STEM-related courses to children, I thought it would be great for me to have some practice with an area that I’ve always loved but in which I haven’t
