Gina Schilling, a teacher at Hill Middle School, has been awarded an Endeavor Fellowship with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Novato Unified School District has announced.

Endeavor Fellows engage with education experts, NASA scientists and each other to carry back to the classroom a greater understanding of NASA discoveries and to impact student learning in real-world contexts, inspiring a next generation of explorers, scientists, engineers and astronauts.

Ms. Schilling spearheaded the effort to bring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education to Hill.  The first phase was the selection of her science class as one of four programs in Marin County to participate in Dominican University’s MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement) program.  Ms. Schilling works closely with Dominican University empowering some Hill students to create fantastic engineering feats, including mouse trap cars and participation in competitions at the Dominican University campus. 

The Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project provides live, online training for K-12 educators working to earn a Certificate in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education from Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York, N.Y.

“Through Endeavor, educators learn how to deliver and integrate cutting-edge science, engineering and mathematics into the classroom, promoting STEM education,” said Shelley Canright, K-12 outcome manager for education at NASA Headquarters, Washington D.C. “This includes proven NASA and NASA-sponsored educational resources to meet specific learning goals of the 21st Century.”

“We are so excited and proud of Gina Schilling!  It seems that everyone is noticing our science teacher extraordinaire at the local, state and national levels,” said Mrs. Chona Killeen, principal at Hill Middle School.  Ms. Schilling received Hill Middle School’s Golden Bell Teacher of the Year for 2010.

The Endeavor Fellowship program helps teachers change their practice as they learn to blend engaging content and methods for more effective instruction. NASA is also working with state departments of education toward partnerships that will help ensure program participation is credited towards state certification requirements.

The project has been designed and is administered by U.S. Satellite Laboratory Inc., of Rye, N.Y. Funding for the program is provided through the NASA Endeavor Teacher Fellowship Trust Fund, in tribute to the dedicated crew of the space shuttle Challenger.

For additional information about the Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project and other NASA education.

— Provided by Novato Unified School District