FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2012

Contact Jessica Masanotti
Communications Manager
704.358.8101

Trinity Episcopal School Educators Awarded

STEM Fellowship with Discovery Place

CHARLOTTE, NC - Jim Luft, Trinity Episcopal School second-grade teacher, and Beth Lawing, Trinity third-grade instructional assistant, were chosen to participate in the Discovery Place STEM Fellowship Program, among 20 Charlotte-area educators. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math and has become increasingly critical for the United States in the growing global marketplace of the 21st century. 

 

"Being chosen as a STEM Fellows candidate is such a thrill for me," said Lawing. "As a teacher at Trinity, I want to know as much as I can to prepare our learners for the future so that they, too, may become highly marketable in a workforce that depends upon STEM more and more each day."

 

The U.S. Department of Labor expects that there will be 1.2 million job openings in STEM-related fields by 2018, so interest among schools and educators is growing thanks to programs like Discovery Place's fellowship program.

 

In the STEM Fellows Program, participants will acquire the knowledge, support and methodology for a STEM-based classroom through workshops, activities and field experiences. Some activities will include day and night hikes, owl prowls, photography and more. The program will culminate with a retreat to the Blue Ridge Mountains where participants will work with Discovery Place educators and nationally recognized naturalists.

 

"I am very excited to be a part of the STEM program. Our students at Trinity are filled with curiosity and wonder and my hope is that I will be able to foster even more of the intellectual curiosity with the children I encounter every day," said Jim Luft, TES second-grade teacher.

 

This is the first year for the STEM program to be grant funded and available for non-CMS teachers to apply. Funding for the program was made possible by a donation from an anonymous foundation that focuses on early childhood and elementary education, among other scientific research and community-based programs.


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About Trinity Episcopal School

Founded in 2000, Trinity Episcopal School currently has 401 students enrolled and is the only K-8 independent school in Uptown Charlotte. Trinity has the distinct advantage of an "extended classroom" that includes Center City destinations like Discovery Place, ImaginOn and Urban Ministries. 

 

The powerful combination of creating scholars, nurturing spirituality and embracing diversity enables us to inspire, develop and send forth the future leaders of tomorrow. 

 

For more information, schedule a tour of our beautiful Uptown campus, attend an open house or visit www.TEScharlotte.org.

 

About Discovery Place

One of the top hands-on science museums in the nation, Discovery Place provides ever-changing, entertaining facilities that engage people in the active exploration of science and nature.  The Museum brings relevant, contemporary science to life through groundbreaking exhibitions, interactive educational programming and hands-on activities. Nearly a half-million people from all over the United States engage with Discovery Place and its IMAX Dome Theatre each year. 

 

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon Street.  Convenient parking is available in the Museum's parking deck - the Carol Grotnes Belk Complex - at the corner of Sixth and Church Streets.  For more information about Discovery Place, call (704)372-6261, visit www.discoveryplace.org or connect with Discovery Place on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

Discovery Place Inc. owns and operates Discovery Place, Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place KIDS and is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council. 

Creating Scholars, Nurturing Spirituality and Embracing Diversity in Charlotte's Center City