Two District Five teachers expand horizons at exclusive summer workshop

For Immediate Release – July 6, 2016

Two District Five teachers expand horizons at exclusive summer workshop

IRMO – Spring Hill High School biology teachers Lauren Brown and Wendy Rauch understand the importance of hands-on material for their students. With the help of a fully funded grant, the teachers were able to attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) at the Center for BioMolecular Modeling this summer for a program called “Genes, Genomes and Personalized Medicine.”

“Attending the Center for BioMolecular Modeling’s workshop at MSOE has had the most profound impact on my approach to teaching Biology,” Brown said. “So much of what we teach in Biology cannot be seen with the naked eye or even with a compound microscope. Therefore, students need 3D models that allow them to visualize and manipulate biomolecules essential to life.”

The summer workshop ran June 27 through July 1 and provided high school teachers with the background and tools to go beyond the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology (DNA-RNA-Protein) in their teaching and engage their students in meaningful discussions of genomic science and its implications for personalized health care.

“Because of this course, I have more tools to use as I connect concepts to students understanding of proteins, the connecting macromolecules of science,” Rauch said. “I am excited to more effectively tell stories and engage students.”

The trip would not have been possible had Brown and Rauch not attended the Share Fair Nation event held at Irmo High School in March. The teachers participated in a presentation led by VIZITECH USA in which they explored the company’s technology that is pioneering the way in 3D education programs. The learning applications were so inspiring that after the event, Brown wrote a grant proposal and of the 65 participating schools, only two scholarships were awarded. The award was worth approximately $14,500.

“By attending this workshop, I was able to see how the fields of biology, chemistry and physics collide together to create the beautiful stories of life,” Brown said. “I am so thankful that we were able to be a part of this. What we have learned throughout this week will benefit our students so much in this upcoming school year!”

As part of the workshop, Brown and Rauch earned over $800 worth of teaching materials for their students to use in their classrooms.  When asked about their opportunity to be a part of this workshop, Spring Hill High School principal Dr. Michael Lofton said, “I am so proud of Mrs. Brown and Ms. Rauch for their ingenuity in seeking out the latest and greatest in technology that will enable them to increase the level of engagement for their students. They are gifted teachers and I am grateful that they are members of our SHHS family."