- Year 2018
- NSF Award #1557211
- Registration Current Noyce Scholar
- First Name Yaritza
- Last Name Villa
- Discipline Physics
- Institution Mount Saint Mary's University
Abstract
While earning my bachelor’s degree in biology as well as a secondary teaching credential at Mount Saint Mary’s University, I’ve had the opportunity to tutor math and science as well as earn the honor of assisting Dr. Deprèle in her introduction to physics class at Mount Saint Mary’s University by working as her Supplemental Instructor. It has helped to give me a glimpse of what managing and planning for a class can be like. The most rewarding part was helping students find their “aha” moments, their moments of understanding. These elements furthered my interest in becoming a teacher. By participating in Noyce, I hope to learn techniques to make learning immersive and interesting. Using what I learn in my credential classes, from my coaches, and from my experiences in tutoring and supplementing I want to improve my skills and make science fun and immersive but also meaningful for my students and help them find their “aha” moments, such as using music to create an immersive learning environment. Music has been proven to help stimulate the brain in areas outside of just listening. Music stimulates areas that process reward, movement, and memory. This can be especially seen when students memorize formulas or sequences using songs. For example, learning the alphabet using a melody. Using music can make a lesson more immersive, memorable, and fun as well as help in other aspects of the classroom.
