SCUC Connect Winter 2022

Real-World SCIENCE

J U L I A N A B E R RY ’ S J U N I OR H I GH ST U D E N T S B E N E F I T F ROM H E R S UMM E R LONG COMM I T M E N T TO P RO F E S S I ON A L D E V E LO PM E N T T H ROU GH T H E T E X AS B I OM E D I CA L R E S E A RCH I N ST I T U T E

Photos Courtesy: Josh Huskin Photography

JULIANA BERRY IS HAPPY to find herself as a conduit of science information to her students as quickly as she learns it herself. The eighth grade Science Special Education department leader at Corbett Junior High School spent her summer taking part in an externship, collaborating with research scientists on articles about infectious diseases and creating activities that are in turn being implemented into the science curriculum at her campus. It’s part of the $1.25 million grant obtained by Texas Biomedical Research Institute (TBRI) with the goal of increasing interest in science careers. Berry was one of four teachers in the greater San Antonio-area to participate in the first year of the five-year

program, helping develop the curriculum. “I was very excited to take part in it,” Berry said. “I knew that it was going to lead to opportunities for my students to have a connection to the real world.” Berry and three teacher colleagues will maintain relationships with TBRI scientists throughout the school year, who will occasionally help co-teach their classes, mentor students, make presentations, and provide STEM career advice at the junior high and high school levels. Opening career pathways for students, especially special education students Berry serves, is one of the reasons she applied for the opportunity to take part in the grant

S C U C C o n n e c t C o m m u n i t y E d i t i o n

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Dr. Rosemary Riggs (second from left) observes a science lesson run by 8th grade teacher Juliana Berry (third from left) at Ray D. Corbett Junior High School in Schertz, Texas.