Noyce Scholar Profile
Joshua Elrod
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Physical Science Education
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Physics and Chemistry, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
Ball State University
Current academic or teaching status:
5th year student
School and school district:
Practicum-Burris HS; will student teach at Shenandoah High School
Background:
I am from South Bend, Indiana. I came to Ball State University undecided but was on track for a physics degree without intention. I enjoyed it and then declared Physics Education in my sophomore year, and later added chemistry. I look forward to being in the classroom.
Why do you want to teach:
I have always found science intriguing, but wondered why others did not feel the same way about it. There is so much to learn and many interesting discoveries to understand. I want there to be a drive to learn about the world we are a part of.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I was working a lab on calorimetry in a Chemistry II classroom. We were burning various snack foods under a soda can with 50 mL of water since we did not have enough calorimeters. A student was using an almond when she asked if it was more or less healthy if it was burning for a long time or not. After a discussion, she was able to see how calories were used for energy. I then shared why hikers like to eat nuts like almonds, because they have protein for their muscles, but at the same time also have a great deal of calories for how small they are. It was memorable because she could see how this related to what she ate, but also the other students had that moment of understanding as well.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
It has given me the ability to continue in school without taking out more loans, which kept me from taking a year or two off to work before completing my degree. I worried less about money situations and focused more on school work and becoming a teacher. The resource of having a physics education mentor has been a great help as well. It turns out that my physics mentor is going to be the teacher with whom I will do my student teaching. This is a great opportunity to prepare and learn more about how to be a better teacher.
