An Oklahoma educator has been selected by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics coordinator for its On the Farm STEM Experience March 28-30 in Nashville, Tennessee, immediately prior to the National Science Teachers Association annual convention. The event is funded by the Beef Checkoff.
Theresa Balan of Moore, the 2006 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year and current Elementary Science Coordinator for Oklahoma City Public Schools, was one of 20 applicants selected for the experience . She will receive a $2,000 stipend plus room, meals, tour transportation and all materials to attend the event. More than 200 coordinators applied for the event.
The focus of the training will be life on cattle ranches. Exploring ways to effectively teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics with valuable information about food and nutrition will be a highlight.
Science curriculum coordinators are leaders at the district level who influence professional development and training for classroom science teachers. This event seeks to provide coordinators with real-world experience connecting science to the beef industry. As part of the experience, leaders will visit beef production facilities, meet beef producers, interact directly with beef animals, and have access to Foundation education consultants to help explore the connections between STEM and beef production.
Other coordinators selected for the program are Andrea Weinberg, Fort Collins, Colorado; Andrea Russo, Johnston, Rhode Island; Annmargareth Marousky, Sunrise, Florida; Denise Johnson, Houston, Texas; Do-Yong Park, Bloomington, Illinois; Glendar Haskin, Altadena, California; Hollie Rogers, Orange City, Florida; Jeanne Okrasinski, Charleston, Illinois; Kendra Renae Pullen, Shreveport, Louisiana; Kimberly Robertson, Lancaster, Texas; Lacy Cleveland, Greeley, Colorado; Leslie Prudhomme, Windsor, Massachusetts; Lisa Brightman, Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Lisa Rigogliosi, Oakdale, New York; Marla Broy, Chicago, Illinois; Mindy Pearson, Brandon, Florida; Patty McGinnis, Eagleville, Pennsylvania; Rachel Jensen, Augusta, Georgia; and Ryan Rasar, Henderson, Nevada.
