Dana’s Big Idea: Dana’s students completed a Wind Energy Design Challenge where they learned about global and local winds and created prototype wind turbines. Her students utilized a wide variety of materials to create a number of unique prototypes. Dana hopes to scale-up this project and create even more unique wind turbine designs and educate her students on the important of alternative energy sources.
Interesting Facts: Dana is Melvin H. Kreps Middle School’s Student Council Adviser and has also coached a variety of intramural sports. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership.
In her own words: "Our school has adopted a spiraling science curriculum, so I am lucky that I get to teach Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science all in one year."
Julie Schell, a professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin, helps NSCF Scholar Dana Young of Riverton, NJ, work through a problem Wednesday, June 7. Julie presented several methods that the scholars could employ to better engage their students in deep learning. (Photo by Sam Oldenburg)
Dana Young, from Riverton, NJ, builds a microscope on Monday, June 5. The microscopes were made using wood, acrylic, and a lens. (Photo by Brook Joyner)
On being a 2017 STEM Scholar: “Having Rico’s support during the STEM Scholar program really helped me refine my challenge project in a way that was more successful for everybody.”