Two Watkins-Nance Elementary School aerospace educators have been accepted into the Building Leadership Among Science Teachers (BLAST) program at Clemson University. The program is designed to support the development of K-8 science educators in rural South Carolina schools.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) consultant Stephanie Long and aerospace teacher Niya Turton were among 12 educators across South Carolina selected for the program. They will be involved with the program for the next four years.
Long says the program will help them grow as educators and further develop Richland One’s elementary BLAST (Building Lasting Aerospace and STEM Trajectories) magnet program, which launched at Watkins-Nance in August.
“This program will allow us to better serve the students and teachers at our school. It will enhance my leadership skills in all areas and will support and assist my development as an expert science leader in education,” she said.
Both teachers will learn from science educators across South Carolina and will learn different ways to teach and engage students.
“As a science educator participating in this program, I will have the opportunity to meet, learn and network with other science educators within the state of South Carolina. Participating in the program will afford me many opportunities to grow as a teacher to my students and as a leader in my school,” said Turton.
To qualify for the program, educators must devote at least half of their responsibilities to teaching or leading science and math. They must also have their master’s degree by June 1, 2024.
