Traci Wierman, Lawrence Hall of Science
Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading is an NSF-funded curriculum program that employs a Do-it, Talk-it, Read-it, Write-it approach, engaging students (and teachers) in learning science concepts in depth, while increasing their skills in reading, writing, and discussing as scientists do. This presentation engages participants in first- and secondhand experiences from Seeds/Roots and shares program effectiveness data providing evidence that Seeds/Roots is meeting the NRC call for Equal Access to Quality STEM Experiences.
About the Presenter:
Traci Wierman, Curriculum Implementation Network Director, Lawrence Hall of Science
Traci Wierman is currently leading the curriculum implementation efforts for the many projects that comprise the GEMS portfolio, including AfterSchoolKidzScience and Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Wierman worked for 16 years as a public school teacher in the Enterprise Elementary School District, serving in a variety of capacities including self-contained elementary, middle school, and charter school math and science; coordination and delivery of the district-wide gifted and talented program; and leadership for the district Title I math programs. In addition, she spent nine years (four of which as the director of education) working to create and deliver inter-disciplinary programs for Turtle Bay Exploration Park, an inter-disciplinary 200-acre park and museum complex located on the banks of the Sacramento River in far northern California. Programs served the pre-Kindergarten through senior citizen audience, and included summer day camps, a teen volunteer program, docent training, and exhibition-based grants and programs. The institution became a GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) Center, which Wierman directed until leaving to accept the position of GEMS Network Director. Wierman was a member of the Workforce Capacity Development Work Group at The STEM in Out-of-School Time (OST) Initiative, now called The Power of Discovery STEM2 project with the California Afterschool Network. She was also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the California Association for the Gifted, honoring 11 years of service supporting gifted education in the 10-county Mt. Shasta Region. Wierman holds a BA from the California State University, Chico. She has a teaching credential in multiple subjects from the California State University, Chico as well as a Specially Designed Academic Instruction In English (SDAIE) Certification, and a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Certification from Simpson College, Redding.
