Livermore Valley Teacher Makes STEM Education A Priority For Students

This article is presented in partnership with CA Lottery.

Maybe it takes a long-term view to understand what makes students tick, especially when it comes to STEM subjects, those being science, technology, engineering and math.  As a former middle school teacher, Regina Brinker is now tasked with making physiology and biology come alive for high schoolers at Granada High School in Livermore, California.

Nepris is her tool of choice. This is why.

Connecting Classrooms To Commerce With Just One Click

Brinker, the 2013 Teacher of the Year for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, and other educators throughout California's public school system, use Nepris to bring speakers into their classrooms virtually. The web-based program allows professionals working in countless fields to forge a real-world connections with students during the school day, anywhere in the world.

Nepris and the educators using it make learning come alive, providing kids with countless role models, points of view and an insider's knowledge of multiple fields, from engineering to neurology. To date, the program has been used in over 1,000 schools, many of which are located in the Golden State.

"As a STEM teacher, I see part of my job as getting students excited about continuing to take science, technology, engineering and math classes, and to consider a career in a STEM field. Nepris has helped me get students excited about STEM careers," says Brinker, who has used the web-based program to create educational sessions on green technology.

Much of this green technology is specific to building energy-efficient, solar-powered structures and career exploration in medicine and computer science.

"During presentations, students can choose to ask or text questions to the presenter. Especially for middle school students, who might be hesitant to speak up to an adult, texting allows for some anonymity," says Brinker. "I feel confident with allowing texting since Nepris staff vet the questions as they come in."

A huge boon, archived sessions in the classroom can be visited again and again, a beneficial plus for kids who miss class or for those who wish to revisit specific points of interest.

Opening Doors And Widening Horizons

The Nepris technology provides a conduit for public school teachers and industry professionals to find each other. Teachers request the types of speakers they would like to have present to their classes based on curriculum needs, creating a collaboration that can include specific, national learning standards.

Nepris sessions can feature one or more speakers. Brinker has requested panels, both for her middle school and high school classes. She has also used the technology for the pre-med club she coaches at Granada, providing students with a bird's-eye view into the world of physician research.

In the classroom, Nepris provides a two-way conduit, allowing students to ask questions of presenters and share their own projects and work via a hands-on, interactive experience. It also adds depth and meaning to the workday for professionals who are passionate about their field and excited about mentoring others.

Taking It To The Virtual Streets

Brinker's middle school students were able to connect virtually via Nepris with an established architect.

"What was fun about this session was that the architect asked students to present some of their projects to her. Students brought their models up to the camera, then explained their designs. For seventh graders to be able to talk face-to-face with a professional was a unique and memorable experience, especially when the architect complimented their work. This is something the students will remember for a long time," says Brinker. "Sessions have impacted lessons by giving real-world value to what students are learning. We have good discussions after the presentations about lessons and career applications. Students enjoy getting information from sources other than their teacher. Nepris helps with that."

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.