I was back to the classroom earlier this week, part of the freshwater plastics program that began in the Sumner School District three years ago. Students from Michele Chamberlain’s environmental science class at Lakeridge Middle School have been collecting water and sediment samples at several locations on the Puyallup and White Rivers since 2015 and using their data to inform other class projects and further explorations. It’s a powerful thing, to actually go and collect the data, bring it back and analyze it and then interpret what it is trying to tell you. These kids get this experience at an age where others don’t.

And their teacher is a state-level finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PARMST). It’s not an acronym that rolls off the tongue but it is a great honor just to be nominated… and the decision should be made by the end of the month. Fingers crossed. Michele has a curious nature and a scientist’s eye for detail and her ability to connect with her students is a thing of beauty. I’ve been lucky to work with her these past few years and I look forward to what we will do in the future.

For more info on Michele’s award and some of the other things she’s done, Check out the write-up in the local news…