The NESC is grateful for its many North Dakota partners who make the afterschool, virtual NESC ConnectEd programming a success. One of those partners is North Dakota's Gateway to Science. The NESC has worked with the Gateway to Science team since the start of the 2021-2022 school year to provide curriculum enrichment through STEM to 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) students across our region and state.
Through this partnership, we've had the opportunity to meet and learn from Gateway to Science instructor and frequent ConnectEd facilitator, Thomas Power. Thomas is a dynamic instructor who brings a love of STEM to many afterschool programs and students!
Thomas Power graduated from Mandan High School in 2021. He currently attends Bismarck State College with plans to transition to Black Hills State University in the Fall of 2023. He is involved in the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium through the University of North Dakota, which partners with Gateway to Science and allows him to serve as a STEM Ambassador, promoting STEM learning for students and adults across the state. He currently facilitates programs, camps, and outreach; and through this role, he has realized that he wants to continue to share his passion for learning and science as a high school educator.
When asked about a favorite teaching memory or lesson, Thomas shared that he has a favorite activity called, "The Bird Beak Game." During this activity students use different types of "beaks" such as, clothespins, toothpicks, measuring spoons, etc. to pick up different types of "food" (e.g., gummy worms, marbles, cherries, washers, etc.). This activity is one of his favorites because it allows him to to talk about biology, adaptations, and form vs function, which are some of his favorite science topics.
Our NESC ConnectEd students love learning with Thomas because he brings engaging activities through interesting topics. One NESC 21st CCLC class and their teacher shared this about Thomas: "He is helpful, energetic, knowledgeable and kind. He is also extremely fun!"
Thank you, Thomas and Gateway to Science, for your contributions to NESC ConnectEd and STEM learning within North Dakota!
