Noyce Scholar Profile
Ana Bickel
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Masters in Secondary Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Earth Science, grades 7-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Fifth year or post-baccalaureate Noyce scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Arizona State University STARR Noyce
Current academic or teaching status:
Graduate Student-first year
School and school district:
Desert Vista High School
Background:
I have two Bachelor degrees in Geological Sciences and Chemistry. I enjoy working with students so why not teach science! I was interested in teaching for awhile but was not convinced that this was the path for me. After becoming a Teacher’s Assistant at Arizona State University (ASU), I realized that teaching was something I really wanted to do.
Why do you want to teach:
I want to teach to make a difference, to be a role model for students who might not have one. Growing up I viewed my teachers as role models, and they motivated me to continue school and pursue science.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
One memorable teaching experience occurred when I was an intern at Fees College Preparatory in Tempe. I was teaching a lesson about using the steps of the scientific method. The students had to come up with a hypothesis and test it; they were not only learning about science but having fun in the process. They even asked me a lot of questions! This teaching experience was memorable for me because it was the first time I saw these students actively learning and engaged. A lot of the students from this school have stated they hate science, but with more hands-on lessons like the one I taught, I hope to change their minds and hopefully help them develop an appreciation for science.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
The Noyce program has meant so much to me. Without it, I would not have been able to continue studying at ASU. The Noyce program has made it possible for me to learn valuable information that I can apply to the classroom. I am very grateful to this excellent program for giving me this opportunity to become a science educator.
