Letters from Friends
Alumnus Hobbins inspires science students, credits EHE
L-R: Robert Hobbins with eighth-graders who were junior grand award winners in the Arizona state science fair. Stan Palasek entered “Metabolic Comparison of Carbohydrates." Ostin Zarse and Joshua Sloane entered “Upping the Power: Can reflective materials be cost effective while increasing the output of photovoltaic cells?”
Alumnus Robert J. Hobbins recently wrote to Gail Hoskins, program manager for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Master's of Education (MEd) Program in the School of Teaching and Learning, to share this news. During his program, Robert received the Lynda and Stephen Nacht Endowed Scholarship in Education.
Dear Gail:
I would first like to say that I am really thankful for having been part of the STEM MEd program. The education that I received has been extremely invaluable, especially Dr. Ross Nehm's science education courses and the research I conducted with Dr. Art White, my advisor.
Last year was very successful. I am teaching eighth-grade physical science and advanced research methods for high school students at Sonoran Science Academy in Tucson, Ariz. Last year, six of my students won first-place finishes at the state science fair and four won fourth-place prizes. In addition, three of my students' projects were chosen for grand prize awards for best middle school projects.
These three students were then invited to both the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering, Environment) Science Olympiad (ISWEEEP) competitions. Because of this, I was chosen as the top middle school teacher in Arizona for science fair and was invited to go to the competitions as well.
I also coached First Tech Challenge and our team won the best design award in the state for our robot's design. I also coached a Science Olympiad team. My astronomy students in that competition took second in the state, and my physics students took first place in "crave the wave" in the state.
Finally, my school's parents and students chose me this year as the Teacher of the Year, runner up.
My physical science classroom received local recognition by the local news as a science class that is teaching students 21st-century skills.
Overall, I could not have had this much success without the preparation that the STEM MEd Program and Mr. Brian Geniusz's [Science & Health curriculum leader] mentorship at Thomas Worthington High School provided me. The administration here has been shocked that a first-year teacher was able to have such an impact so quickly. Once again, not possible without the preparation that I received from your program.
This year I'll be teaching the same classes and the same clubs. I hope to send good news again to you next year.
Cheers,
Robert
'08 MEd in Science Education
Robert also thanks Jim Gaskill and Trent Bowers, also at Thomas Worthington High School, Worthington School District; Jeff Alexander, Westerville Central High School, Westerville School District; and Melissa Shirley ('09 PhD), his EHE STEM supervisor for two quarters.
View other letters from our friends.
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