Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson joined students and teachers at Cedar Hill’s West Intermediate School to witness their STEMGenetics demonstrations. STEMGenetics is an innovative life sciences teaching tool and curriculum that helps students learn the skills they will need to compete for in-demand science and technology jobs.
Congresswoman Johnson took time to talk to the attending STEM educators and express her thanks for the work they do. “The work that you all are doing with these young students is crucial to America becoming a global leader in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “We must prepare our students with a sense of analytical thinking that will allow them to solve the problems of the future. It is important that we start teaching these skills at this young age to allow for these students to aspire to be the scientists, engineers, and inventors of the future. ”
As the Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congresswoman Johnson was the featured speaker at a demonstration along with the creators of this cutting edge curriculum, Dr. Michelle Williams of Michigan State University and Dr. Angela DeBarger, a senior research scientist at SRI International
“STEMGenetics has proven successful in teaching elementary students fundamental life science ideas that will prepare them for advanced learning in high school biology as well as careers in science and technology,” said Dr. Williams. “We help develop teacher capacity, so they can effectively introduce important science concepts in earlier grades, which means our children are better-prepared.”
Research evaluations of the STEMGenetics approach in Texas and Michigan classrooms show that students demonstrate significantly improved understanding of life sciences, biology and genetics concepts, after using STEMGenetics, which features technology that makes it possible for teachers to track student progress and offer feedback throughout the learning process.
Dr. Williams stated that the program was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, which Congresswoman Johnson’s work helped to secure. Congressman Marc Veasey, Texas State Senator Royce West, the mayor of Cedar Hill and officials from the city’s public school system were also present.
