Dr. Whitney Holden, a life sciences specialist at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, has received the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools Innovative STEM Teacher Award.
The award was announced during the organization’s virtual professional conference on Nov. 7. Holden was one of three finalists for the inaugural Innovative Teacher Award. The 2020 NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award celebrates a teacher who works at institutional member schools. The teacher should advance the mission of the member school and STEM education. Each institutional member may nominate only one teacher.
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy received the NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program Award for the IMSA STEM League. The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky earned the NCSS Innovative Partnership Award for its Cloudbridge Nature Preserve research abroad program.
NCSSS is a consortium of approximately 100 member high schools, many “ranked” among the best in the country, along with 55 affiliate members (including colleges, universities, summer programs, foundations and corporations) located in 32 states that share the goals of transforming mathematics, science and technology education.
“I’m very honored by this recognition,” Holden said in a video on Twitter after receiving the award. “I love what I do. I also couldn’t do it alone. I want to take this time this school provides a fantastic environment that really encourages innovation in so many ways. Our students are tremendous. They are always willing to try new things and go the extra mile. My colleagues always bring their A game, particularly ASMSA’s Dr. (Patrycja) Krakowiak who I work with closely and the many teachers who are enrolled in our biology outreach program.”
Krakowiak is also a life science specialist at ASMSA.
The teacher selected to receive the award was expected to demonstrate how they implemented STEM-infused strategies and innovation in their classroom that connects STEMs to real-world careers that could be replicated by other institutional member schools.
Holden teaches residential students at ASMSA as well as students and educators virtually across Arkansas. At ASMSA, she teaches an independent capstone research class that develops well-rounded, scientifically literate students by focusing on statistical analysis and peer-reviewed literature.
She also serves as co-director with Krakowiak for the Advanced Biology Plus program and the Arkansas Summer Research Institute. In Advanced Biology Plus, Holden provides curriculum and training for Arkansas educators who are teaching Advanced Placement Biology and their students. Schools participating in the program have seen a larger number of their students who take the AP Biology exam receive a passing score — from 10 percent when the program began to 40 percent. The program accounted for one in eight Arkansas students who took the AP Biology exam last year.
The Arkansas Summer Research Institute allows underrepresented groups of students of STEM to learn technical skills while also focusing on essential professional skills such as networking, entrepreneurship and resume writing. ASRI is funded by a grant from the Arkansas National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCoR).
ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice, who also serves on the national board of NCSSS, nominated Holden for the award.
“Dr. Holden is a sterling example of what is possible when faculty embrace the mission of ASMSA to ignite the potential of students and educators across our state,” Alderdice said. “In the classroom, in research, and in teacher empowerment, she leads the way for both her colleagues on campus as well as all who wish to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators.”
Holden said that being willing to learn as an educator is important when developing learning opportunities for students.
Through my work I have found the keys to building truly innovative experiences are mentorship, teamwork, respect and a willingness to challenge myself as well as my students,” Holden said in a video that was included in her nomination for the award.