Five students from the Department of Teacher Education led a workshop presenting science experiments at the Conference Advancement of Science Teaching/Science Teachers Association of Texas annual conference in Dallas last November.

“All five of us had to create a physical science experiment,” said Kristi Damon, senior education major from Amarillo. “We were in charge of designing the experiment, collecting all the data, and recording our hypothesis.”

The students received the opportunity from Jenn Rogers, early childhood education professor.

“She felt like it would be a meaningful opportunity for us,” said Mariah Schultz, junior education major from Rowlett. “After deciding on who was going, we met up every other week to prepare and discuss the conference.”

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to present at CAST and thankful that Mrs. Rogers believed my peers and I had the ability to do what we did,” said Olivia Noland, junior education major from Flower Mound.

The students presented many elementary science experiments to current teachers from across the state from “ghouly hands,” showing a chemical reaction and the properties of gas, to boiled eggs to show how temperature changes expand and contract air molecules.

“I enjoyed preparing an experiment to present to actual teachers as opposed to the pre-service teachers we normally share our ideas with,” said Melanie Catteau, junior education major from Dennison. “It was great to be treated as a real teacher and to get ideas from other teachers from all around the country.”

After bad experiences with science fairs as a child, Schultz said going to the CAST/STAT conference opened her eyes and mind.

“Before taking the Science classes and participating in the conference, I was unsure of what I actually wanted to teach,” Schultz said. “Through the process, I have now come to the conclusion that I am in fact drawn to teaching Science and Math courses.”

The students who presented all agreed that the CAST/STAT conference was a meaningful experience.

“Being a part of CAST was a great way to begin my professional career,” Noland said. “Before the conference, I had no intentions of teaching any grade above third, and I certainly had no interest in teaching solely science. However, after my experience in CAST I am interested in possibly being a middle school science teacher.

The students said the overall experience of the conference was encouraging and helpful.

“This was my first professional education conference to attend,” Damon said. “Throughout the conference I felt welcomed and respected. I feel more prepared as a professional educator due to participating in the conference.”

By Katie Jenkins