From paper to iPad, the experience of doing science at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, California, has changed a lot in the last couple of years.
Ten-year biology teaching veteran Jessica Nascimento has seen the way her students learn science shift a lot during the course of her career—science projects that used to rely on paper worksheets now engage interactive tablet-based apps that allow students to plan and carry out their own experiments. The experience of learning science has become the experience of doing science—while at the same time, Jessica’s emphasis on the role literature and text play in teaching science has remained strong.
“Our students need more help from teachers than ever in this transition,” she said. “Through the tools of literacy and science practices, I hope to give my students a better appreciation for science and maybe inspire them into incorporating science as a career choice.”
As one of 10 grand-prize winners in the WGU Loves Teachers sweepstakes, Jessica now has $300 that she can use to stock her classroom with the tools she needs to keep her students current as standards and technology continue to change.
Through the WGU Loves Teachers sweepstakes, WGU and Scholastic awarded 10 $300 grand prizes and 100 $25 first prizes to thank teachers for their hard work and help them build up their classroom libraries and supplies.
Congratulations, Jessica!
