Noyce Scholar Profile
Alex Rorie
Undergraduate major or graduate field of study: Biology
Subject area(s) and grade level teaching focus: Biology, grades 9-12
Category of scholarship/fellowship:
Noyce Scholar
Name of Noyce institution:
University of Missouri
Current academic or teaching status:
Junior
School and school district:
Science City at Union Station
Background:
Growing up, I always loved science but never saw an occupational possibility with the field until I thought about science education. I have always been one to lead and instruct and am excited about the possibilities of education and science together.
Why do you want to teach:
I would like to teach because I myself have had both positive and negative experiences with teachers in my past, both of which make strong impressions on me. If I am awarded the opportunity to inspire and accelerate a student’s knowledge and interest in science I would feel fully satisfied in my job.
Describe a memorable teaching experience:
I went on a mission trip to a small town in Guatemala to teach science for a week in their elementary school. Each person in my group had a different subject matter to teach on their chosen day of the week. I had chosen chemistry and struggled with how to teach children in another country in a different language something important and meaningful, yet fun at the same time. At the end of the week I found that even without fully understanding each other, the students and I were able to learn from each other in more than just scientific ways.
What does the Noyce program mean to you:
It has meant an opportunity for freedom in my education. I mean that through the Noyce Scholarship I am able to focus on actually teaching science and learning how to best do so without the added pressure of worrying how to afford the much needed education and experience.
