Julie Smith, a Seneca Valley Middle School science teacher, recently was selected to receive a Northwest PA STEM Teacher Recognition Award, sponsored by Midwestern Region of the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
The award presentation was held May 21 in the Hall of Arts and Letters at Grove City College.
Andrea Peck, Seneca Valley Middle School principal, nominated Smith for the award for enhancing STEM education in the classroom.
Officials with the program said Smith was one of only three regional teachers chosen for the award based on her inspiration, innovation and leadership related to STEM education in the classroom, as well as her partnership with business and higher education.
Smith has implemented a STEM program for seventh and eighth grade female students, called SVMS STEM Fems, to introduce the girls to role models within Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Through community partnerships, students have participated in a CSI Investigation activity, learned about the chemistry of cosmetics to make their own lip gloss, scented stones, and face scrub, and met with undergrads and grads from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science to discuss their experiences and future hopes and expectations.
“Ms. Smith’s creativity, enthusiasm and ongoing commitment to our STEM Fems has boosted their interest in science, technology, engineering and medicine and has exposed them to various career possibilities,” Peck said.
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