Royal science teacher completes STEM institute

ROYAL CITY - Mario Godoy-Gonzalez, a Royal High School ESL and science teacher was one of 50 educators from across the nation who recently completed the 2011 Siemens STEM Institute.

Presented by the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education and the College Board, this week-long professional development experience offered teachers hands-on, real-world integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the classroom.

Godoy-Gonzalez had the opportunity to hear from STEM thought leaders and connect and collaborate with other leading educators from across the country. He and his fellow teachers will now return to their classrooms armed with new information and techniques to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

"In order to provide the best possible education for our students, it is essential that we, as educators, continue to evolve and learn along with them," said Godoy-Gonzalez. "The Siemens STEM Institute allowed us to learn not only new ways of inspiring our students, but how to easily integrate real world examples of STEM into our classrooms."

Participating teachers formed small groups and will continue collaborating on STEM-related projects that integrate the resources, tools and knowledge they learned at the Institute throughout the year. Godoy-Gonzalez's project involves using the power of educational technology and partnerships to empower students to solve problems across the globe.

"Teachers like Godoy-Gonzalez are setting the example for all educators with his steadfast commitment to preparing and encouraging America's students to lead the way in the future of STEM education," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "I look forward to hearing back from Godoy-Gonzalez next year about his project and how his work here at the Institute has impacted his classroom in Royal City."