A Roedean science teacher has beaten off competition from 35 different countries to win a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) educators’ award in Finland.
STEM coordinator Colleen Reesink-Wells captured the imagination of judges at the 13th European Science On Stage festival in Turku when she presented a project she had worked on with Roedean students that looked for ways to create natural polymers to replace plastic. The project involved Ms Reesink-Wells and pupils synthesising proteins in milk to create a spoon and she was one of only seven teachers from across Europe to be awarded a European STEM teachers award.
Primary and secondary teachers, each of whom had been chosen by winning national events in their home countries, were asked to present their most creative STEM ideas on a stand and in a workshop. Ms Reesink-Wells’ won the category aimed at attaining sustainable consumption and production of everyday materials.
She said: “I am so proud of the work that the Roedean students have produced. They were able to think critically and creatively to produce an alternative to plastic that will help to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I was thrilled to share our work to other science and STEM teachers from across Europe. It will be so important for future generations to feel empowered to tackle these large global issues in critical and creative ways.”
Roedean head Niamh Green added: “We are so very proud of Colleen’s win. I am delighted that such a creative teacher is promoting our STEM offering at Roedean and encouraging our students to think about science in sustainable ways.”
Categories: Roedean School School News
