Congrats

Black and white portrait of Nadia with arms crossed

Nadia Bennett

Awarded Double Eagle II Scholarship

"I can still remember the first time I got to touch a microscope... I looked at the moth on the slide thinking it was ordinary, just a plain beige color. I peered through the scope, taking in all the fine details. I could see every fiber and hair illuminated; every little detail was magnified. I was completely blown away. This is when I knew I wanted to be a scientist; I knew that I wanted to study the natural world around me. I teach science because I think all students deserve to have a science education that is obtainable, accessible, and equitable. I teach science because all children deserve to feel this feeling of awe and develop their own ideas about the natural world around them. "

Katrina leaning against a column outside of bond hall

Katrina Duttkin

Awarded Double Eagle II Scholarship

"As I grew older, I recognized that what I enjoyed about mathematics was how many ways there are to explain one concept to multiple people. Teaching high school mathematics is rewarding because I can teach students that we grow, both in math and in life, through the process of problem solving. Additionally, high school mathematical concepts are foundational to STEM and I am helping improve students' impressions about the subject. My favorite discipline will forever be mathematics, but teaching is my passion and I want to inspire students to be great in what they love and do what they are passionate about."

Shannon, with pink hair and wearing a boldy striped sweater, posing in front of a rocky shoreline

Shannon Rose Florell Sandberg

Awarded the Alan Thon Scholarship

"As a preservice elementary school teacher, one of my goals is to help my future students to feel empowered to embrace science and mathematics with the same enthusiasm and focus that is given to literacy. I hope to take an active role to support my students to break down the myths around being a “math person” or having a “science brain”. Students have the capacity to be all these things, and so much more. In my classroom, all of my students will feel like each of the subjects we go over is theirs to explore, theirs to grapple with, and theirs to make mistakes and try again."