Teaching provides me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When considering what subject I wanted to teach, the choice seemed obvious. It had to be science! Some of my best educational experiences were in the science classroom. Now, I get to pay it forward by spending my days engaging students in hands-on activities and rigorous experiments. Nothing beats the satisfaction of helping a student explore ideas more deeply and view the world in a different way.

My most memorable teaching experience was working with students in the school garden. Every month we’d head outside, and the kids would be bursting with excitement! They learned about biodiversity, native plants, and got to grow a variety of vegetables. The best part was when they got to harvest the food. The students were proud to take their produce home and share with family and friends. It was incredible to see the students developing a meaningful connection with nature.

If I won the $25,000, I’d start by putting some money aside for a PhD in Science Education. A PhD is something I’ve dreamed of, and this would help make it a reality. I’d also use some of the money to invest into the K–12 STEM program I am developing at my current school. I’m excited to create a program that gives students high-quality STEM experiences in every grade. To top it off, I'd reward myself with a camping trip in my teardrop trailer at Yellowstone National Park.