SCUC Connect Winter 2022

with TBRI. “That population doesn’t get those opportunities. They usually go to the students in the gifted and talented program,” she said. “They can touch it and feel it and understand and see how scientists work through that process of research.” “I think one of the most dreaded questions a teacher can get is, ‘When am I ever going to use this information?’” said Rosemary Riggs, Research Education Outreach specialist for TBRI. She visited Berry’s classroom in September to observe how the institute’s research was being integrated into Berry’s classroom instruction. Rashad Ray, Corbett JHS principal, returned to his teaching roots to assist Berry with her instruction. “Our ultimate goal is to have a positive impact on teaching practices and make connections to the real world so students can see all of the exciting career paths that are available,” said Dr. Riggs. Berry wasted no time implementing some of the knowledge she acquired during the summer. One article about chimpanzees by research scientist Ken Sayers turned into a student-led activity that occurred within the first week of classes. “He did research on how chimpanzees forage and search for food in their environment,” Berry said. Mimicking the study, Berry placed something in her classroom, told one student, and had that person communicate non-verbally, helping grow leadership and communication skills within the group. “I was able to talk about the research and how animal models are used and how they take that research and apply it to other types of areas.” All activities are designed to mesh with existing curriculum according to Dr. Riggs, and align with education standards, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). “We’re not asking teachers to redo their (syllabus), we’re just showing ways to enhance what they’re doing in the classroom,” she said. TBRI will measure if there is an expansion of student interest in

STEM-related subjects, a result Dr. Riggs strongly believes will materialize. “It’s a very deliberate approach that I believe will have major ripple effects in our community for decades to come,” she said. Berry admits data drives instruction, so any uptick in test scores will help determine the program’s efficacy. High quality and student-centered learning experiences, as embedded into the new SCUC ISD Strategic Plan, will play a much bigger part in its success. “It follows with the values that we have,” she said. “You’re looking at the whole student overall, and trying to pull out those qualities and opportunities for those students to become productive members of society and give them opportunities they may not know of or have.”

Juliana Berry (center) is an

8th grade science teacher at Ray D. Corbett Junior High School in Schertz, Texas. Ms. Berry is one of the first teachers to participate in Texas Biomed’s program to provide teachers with additional

0 5 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

training and resources in biomedical

sciences that they can bring back to their classrooms.

Principal Rashad Ray assists with

an experiment in Ms. Berry’s classroom.