The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

NSF
NSF
  • Home
  • The Program
    • NSF Noyce Program Directors
    • NSF Noyce Program Solicitation
    • Consider Becoming an NSF Noyce Principal Investigator
    • Become a Noyce Scholar or Teacher Leader
      • Noyce Scholar Profiles
      • Noyce Alumni Profiles
    • Voices From the Field Videos
  • Project Locator
    • Select from Map
    • Advanced Search
    • Submit Information
  • In the News
    • In the News
  • Meetings
    • 2022 Noyce Summit
    • 2021 Noyce Summer Events
    • 2020 Virtual Noyce Summit
    • Archived Noyce Summit Materials
    • Noyce Regional Meetings
  • Resources
    • Noyce Track 4 Research Book
    • Proposal Preparation Toolkit
    • Noyce Project Videos
    • Noyce Summit Abstract Catalogs
    • Reports
    • Toolkits
    • ARISE Research Community
  • Contact

Carolina

RETURN TO SCHOLAR LIST

Noyce Scholar Profile

Carolina Acevedo Parra

Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Chemistry

Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Chemistry, grades 9-12

Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Master Teaching Fellow

Name of Noyce institution:
University of South Florida

Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student

School and school district:
Hillsborough County School District

Background:

I was born in Medellin, Colombia and moved to the United States of America when I was twelve years old. With no previous knowledge of the English language I struggled through my middle school studies. I was blessed to have great teachers that were understanding and helped me succeed despite the language barrier. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from the University of Central Florida in December 2010. While at UCF I did two years of research in remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls. I was also a teaching assistant for a year, in which I was in charge of teaching general chemistry laboratories. It was this last assignment that brought me into the world of teaching.

Why do you want to teach:

When I was a teaching assistant I found what a great fulfillment teaching was. I decided I wanted to teach because I enjoy sharing new knowledge and my passion for chemistry. I also enjoy seeing students understand and conquer such a difficult subject as chemistry. While I was a teaching assistant I found that students brought into the classroom previous misconceptions from high school. I also found that their learning motivation was shaped according to their experience in high school chemistry. This is why I want to teach high school chemistry. I want to give students an opportunity to have a good chemistry class, so that when they get to college they understand and enjoy the subject. I also want to teach to broad students perspectives of the sciences, and hopefully motivate more into becoming scientist.

Describe a memorable teaching experience:

As part of my research I was assigned a high school student as my assistant. When he started, his previous knowledge in the subject was limited; therefore, he was a little apprehensive and scared to help at first. Seeing this I set my mind to help him conquer his fear and enjoy the research. By the end of the summer term he had learned so much that he was given a small research project of his own. He also decided to continue his chemistry education by taking A.P. chemistry. This stands out to me because even though at first the student was not willing to step into the learning environment, once he was in it he came on top. We both worked together, and I was able to see someone else’s passion of the subject be born.

What does the Noyce program mean to you:

For me the Noyce program means hope and knowledge. Once I start teaching I want to be prepared. In order to do so I need the experience and the guidance. I believe that this education and guidance will be provided to me by the Noyce program, and by the time I start teaching I will be prepared to be a great teacher and role model.

What’s New

  • 2023 Noyce Summit
  • 2022 Noyce Summit
  • Noyce by the Numbers: 20 Years of Noyce
  • Proposal Preparation Webinars
  • Frequently Asked Questions for the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
  • Become a Noyce Scholar or Teacher Leader
  • Consider Becoming an NSF Noyce Principal Investigator
  • Noyce Alumni: Where Are They Now?

Check out our ARISE website for research & opportunities!

Checking In

NSF

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant Numbers DUE-2041597 and DUE-1548986. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

The World's Largest General Scientific Society

  • About Noyce Program
  • AAAS ISEED
  • Subscribe to ARISE
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science