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Laramie Science Teacher Chosen For National STEM Program

Kamila Kudelska

Getting students interested in science at a young age increases their chances of pursuing science later in life - that's the driving thought behind the 2019 STEM Scholar Program, which seeks to better prepare and inspire the next generation of scientists.

It's a project of the National Stem Cell Foundation, and selects ten teachers nationwide to participate. The program forms connections between those teachers and provides financial resources to implement innovative lesson plans.

Laramie Middle School science teacher Allison Baas is one of those selected this time around. Baas said she plans to use stories to stimulate inquiry in her seventh-grade life sciences class.

"I really am hands-on," she said. "I want my students to really experience science and how you do science."

As her students learn about Wyoming wildlife and genetics, Baas said she will use "inquiry-based" lessons meant to foster creativity

"They're so brilliant and young and creative," she said. "And so giving them a real world problem for our state and letting them talk about the issue and come up with solutions - let them be dreamers - it's amazing what they can create and think of."

All ten teachers are from middle schools but specialize in teaching different fields of science. They will each present during the National Science Teachers Association's annual meeting in Boston next spring.

Jeff is a part-time reporter for Wyoming Public Media, as well as the owner and editor of the Laramie Reporter, a free online news source providing in-depth and investigative coverage of local events and trends.
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