STEM FTW!

A Look at Changing the STEM Curriculum

How Can Schools Keep Up With Science?
Grant Application
April Greene
ENVS 522

Abstract

The basic knowledge that people need to have about science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM) has changed, and the science
curriculum in high schools has not kept up. This has led to gaps in scientific
knowledge between those with just a high school understanding of science
and those who have had college level science classes. By not understanding
some of these accepted scientific truths, some are starting to fear things like
vaccinations, GMO agriculture, and lack of understanding is leading to denial
of climate change, which is resulting in stepping away from the scientists
who are trying to make the world a better place. Scientists for Students
wants to change the curriculum in high schools by going straight to schools
themselves looking for what changes educators and parents want to see and
creating a network of communication where change can begin to grow. By
changing the science curriculum in schools, we can broaden the minds of
future citizens along with closing the educational gap between high school
and college-level science courses.
Narrative
We propose to promote a grass roots movement that shifts the way that
people are involved in the management of curricula, specifically the one that
changes the most: science. We are requesting a grant from the National
Science Teachers Association (NSTA) because there is no other group that
shares our passion for science education more than they. Parents deserve to
know that their children are lacking the basic STEM knowledge to understand
how the very technology that they use every day works. We will do this by
approaching school boards and PTA groups, explaining how far behind the
high school science curriculum are. Based on the reactions we get from the
parents, we will spread our message to the news media. This can be
accomplished by helping college level professors and famous faces in the
field of science that already have thoughts on the current state of U.S.
science curriculum standards.

Some examples are Bill Nye and Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, who have both
worked at educating the public about the many wonders that science has to
offer. They both understand that in order to better understand the world; you
have to have a solid scientific knowledge base. This is achieved through
schooling, and during a time when many high school students are
contemplating not attending college because of the astronomical costs,
higher education shouldnt be the main focus.
Budget- For the 3 year Project
Item
Local News

to get the

Cost
$399/month

Banner Ad/

attention of the

for 3 years

Mobile Banner

local public

Ad

regarding the
school board

Total: $15,000

meetings
how to get in
contact with the
organization
any new
information from
Local News Story

the organization
to get the local
citizens attention
initially
make them
aware of school
board meeting
times

Free

 let them know

what the
organization is
about
why this is an
issue that needs to
be addressed
how they can get
in contact with the
organization for
Facebook page

more information
source of further

Free

information about
progress being
made
additional source
for times and dates
of school board
meetings
contact
information of
those involved with
Local

the organization
to make people

Commercials

aware of the news

story before it airs
to make people
aware of the
organization
to help people
know where they

*part of this fee

can find additional

Web Profile

information
helps to navigate

*part of this fee

people to the
Facebook site
has more
information
regarding the
Printables

organization
handed out

$1000/ 10,000

during public

pages printed

events
has information

Yearly Need:

about the goals of

30,000 copies

the organization

printed

has contact
information

Total: $10,000 for

has parent

three years or at

information about

least $3000/year

how to talk to the

schools
offers further
assistance via
members of the
organization to
parents who wish
to take action in
their own school
Travel

district
travel to school

$300/month

car lease
$200/month

districts in the area

travel to local

news stations

fuel

travel to pick up
and drop off

Total for Car

information

Leasing: at least
$11,000
Total for Fuel:

Total Estimated Cost for the Project:

$8,000 (to

$44,000

compensate for
fluctuating fuel
costs)

Additional Information: CV
Current Address
523 16th Ave N
Onalaska, Wi 54650
608-799-2166

EDUCATION
Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
Bachelor of Science Degree, December 2012
Major: Natural Science
Concentration: Chemistry and Biology
Minor: Religious Studies
GPA: 3.3/4.0
University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Master of Science in Environmental Science
Major: Environmental Science
Concentration: Toxicology and Hydrology
Online Program
GPA: 3.5/4.0
______________________________________________________________________
RELEVANT COURSES
General Biology I and II
Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life
Evolution of Human Disease
General Chemistry I and II

Environmental Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
College Physics I &II
Ecology and Evolution

Introduction to Research
Introduction to Biotechnology
Biochemistry
General Toxicology
Environmental Toxicology
Hydrology
Managing Scientific Projects

Environmental Seminar
Biochemical Techniques
Directed Research
Forensic Toxicology
Sustainability
Food Toxicology
Sample Analysis

LABORATORY SKILLS
Electrophoresis (SDS Page and Agarose)
Serial Dilution
RE Digest/Ligation
Southern/Western Blot
Transformation
Protein Assay
Bacterial Screening
Protein Purification (Column Chromatography)
Excel
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Mass Spectrophotometry
Titration
DNA/RNA and Enzyme Isolation
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Ion Chromatography
Distillation, micro and macro
Method Reviewing
Ordering Glassware and Chemicals

Pipetting
Good Laboratory Practice
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Plasmid Preparation
Culture Bacteria
Centrifugation
Spectrophotometry
Aseptic Techniques
Gas Chromatography
Infrared Spectroscopy
Thin Layer Chromatography
Distillation
Scientific Writing
Fluorescence Microscopy
Discrete Analyzer
Digestion, micro and macro
Laboratory Cleanliness

RELATED EXPERIENCE
Assistant Supervisor- Inorganic Wet Chemistry
January 2015
Davy Laboratories, La Crosse, WI
Data review and submitting
Training and evaluating student interns from University of Wisconsin- La Crosse
Training and evaluating Laboratory Technicians
Ability to perform any Inorganic test required in the laboratory
Ordering and stocking of Chemicals
Efficiency management
Chemical Safety
Inorganic Environmental Analyst
Davy Laboratories, La Crosse, WI

March 2013

Certified to test water samples from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa

Specialties include Cyanide distillation testing, Chloride Titration, and Calcium
Hardness Titration, working with and understanding EPA guidelines
Work with undergraduate student interns to assure they follow proper lab
protocols

Laboratory Technician
Summer 2009
Organic Valley, Chaseburg, WI
Used proper laboratory practice to test food products for contaminants
Maintained proper laboratory notes, recording scientific information regarding
bacteria content
Insured all cleaning products met standards required by organic manufacturers
Follow FDA regulations for products being tested

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Volunteer, Relay For Life, Chaseburg and La Crosse WI
Volunteer, Prescription Drug Drop Off, La Crosse, WI
Volunteer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, La Crosse, WI
Member, Autism Family Support Network and Autism Speaks, La Crosse, WI
Member, Tri-Beta, honor society, Viterbo University, La Crosse, WI
Member, National Society of Leadership and Success-Viterbo Chapter, La Crosse, WI
7 Rivers Undergraduate Research Symposium Student Ambassador, 2010-2012
Oral Presenter at National Conference for Undergraduate Research, April 2013, at UWL
La Crosse WI
______________________________________________________________________
HONORS
Viterbo University Deans List
Whos Who Among College and University Students
Phi Theta Kappa
Youth Scholarship Recipients (American Cancer Society)
Top 5% of Freshman Class Certificate
National Society of Leadership and Success
Tri-Beta
Malick Scholarship, Viterbo University

REFERENCES
Meghan Rinehart
Agropur: Main Street Ingredients- Quality Control

2340 Enterprise Avenue

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
608-781-2345
Jackie Davis
Scale Attendant- La Crosse County Solid Waste
Onalaska, Wi 54601
608-785-9572
Cell: 608-797-2793

Additional Information: Training

Because of my extensive work in the field of science, and working closely
with students all through the year, I have noticed that there are major gaps
that are widening every year with the basics of what my students know in
regards to science and the scientific process. This worries me for two
reasons: First, I worry from an educator standpoint that these students are
less likely to care about science. Secondly, from an employer standpoint, if a
college freshman doesnt understand basic concepts like pH, the importance
of temperature, and how to minimalize contamination, then why would I
want them to intern for me? At the risk of missing out on real world
experience which can give them a boost when it comes to looking for jobs
after graduation, freshmen are coming into college level classes woefully
underprepared.
Instead of denying those who have not had the teaching in high school that
they need for internship positions, I take the time to teach applicants the
basics before moving them into the jobs they will actually be performing.

This is what my first laboratory position supervisors did for me, and now I
choose to do this for my student interns.