A collaboration between The Dow Chemical Company, Jacobs Engineering, and the Smithsonian Science Education Center will enable 38 teachers from eight states to take part in a professional development experience beginning this summer. As participants in the 2018 Dow-Jacobs Smithsonian Teacher Scholar Program, the teachers will travel to Washington, D.C. for the six-day Smithsonian Science Education Academies for Teachers (SSEATs), followed by a year of enrichment activities tailored to expanding science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) excellence.

Since 2007, Dow has supported more than 310 teachers through its partnership with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, part of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. This year’s involvement of Dow’s strategic business partner Jacobs Engineering allows employees from both companies to contribute to the teachers’ growth experience.

“Without question, the Teacher Scholar Program is having a tremendous impact on teachers and, ultimately, students in our key communities across the country,” said Meredith Morris, Dow’s global education leader. “Dow is committed to building the workforce of tomorrow through impactful collaborations, and we are proud to partner with Jacobs and the Smithsonian to bring this program to life for our teachers.”

The Teacher Scholar Program aligns closely with Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, through which the Company collaborates with like-minded partners to advance the well-being of humanity by helping lead the transition to a sustainable planet and society. Jacobs Engineering is a natural teammate; the company works with organizations in its operating countries to develop sustainable communities, promote STEM education, and foster employee engagement.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to continue to partner with Dow and the Smithsonian Science Education Center to support teachers in our local communities by incorporating engineering in the classroom and inspiring the next generation of technologists,” said Jan Walstrom, SVP and GM for Global Environmental Solutions at Jacobs Engineering. “This program demonstrates that teachers are highly valued and critical to the success of our students, while encouraging young people to pursue science and engineering careers.”

Each Teacher Scholar Program participant will attend, at no cost, one of three SSEATs professional development academies in Washington, D.C. The academies include: Biodiversity (June 17-22); Energy’s Innovations and Implications (July 8-13); and Earth’s History and Global Change (July 29-Aug. 3). Once again, the Smithsonian Science Education Center will collaborate with the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop one day of programming for the Energy’s Innovations and Implications academy. The program will focus on the museum’s LEED (Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design) Gold certification, and participants will have an opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s sustainability measures, including a green roof and water recycling system, and view the facility through the eyes of one of the museum’s architects and a structural engineer.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dow and Jacobs to bring our program of scientific discovery and advanced professional development to teachers. This experience affords teachers the opportunity to engage in authentic STEM experiences by working directly with scientists and other experts and bring the exciting learnings back to their local classrooms,” said Carol O’Donnell, director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center. “We are grateful to both companies for their commitment to empowering teachers to prepare and inspire the next generation of our STEM workforce.”
This year’s participants again include two teachers from the Lighthouse Academy at Eagle Village, a groundbreaking facility in west Michigan that provides troubled teenagers with counseling, treatment, and leadership and life skills training to ready them for returning home or to a foster, adoptive, or independent living arrangement.

After the program in Washington, participating teachers will meet in teams at their home locations throughout the school year. Dow and Jacobs will organize opportunities for the teachers to maintain their connection and receive additional support tailored to each community. Substantial support will come from Dow STEM Ambassadors, an organization of employee volunteers who share their passion for science through community outreach in dozens of Dow sites around the world. STEM Ambassadors will provide a rich variety of experiences including safety procedures, technical briefings, classroom demonstrations, and career talks, supporting Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goal of Engaging Employees for Impact.

The following teachers from Dow and Jacobs communities have been selected to participate this year:
California:

• Achilleus Tiu, Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg Unified School District, Pittsburg ;
• Amy Kirshen, Sequoia Middle School, Mount Diablo Unified School District, Pleasant Hill;
• Samantha Helton, Park Middle School, Antioch Unified School District, Antioch;
• Sarah Jenkins, R. Paul Krey Elementary, Brentwood Union School District, Brentwood;

• Cynthia Duncan, St Margaret Mary Catholic School, Algonquin;
• Jennifer Eschenbacher, Montini Catholic School. McHenry;

• Brandy New, Vine Grove Elementary, Hardin County Schools, Vine Grove;
• Eric Tharp, Carroll County Middle School, Carrollton;

• April Aymond, Lakewood Elementary School, St. Charles Parish, Luling;
• Jared Breaux, Port Allen High School – West Baton Rouge Parish Schools, Port Allen;
• Joan Rome, Hahnville High School; St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Boutte;
• Kassie Cusachs, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Kenner;
• Kyle Duhon, Plaquemine High School, Iberville Parish Schools, Plaquemine;
• Lacy Layne Behl, Chamberlin Elementary – West Baton Rouge Parish, Port Allen;
• Rebecca Gerdes, Port Allen Elementary, West Baton Rouge Parish, Port Allen;
• Tyler Dufrene, Hahnville High School; St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Boutte;

• Alexandria McKinstry, Eagle Village – Lighthouse Academy, Hersey;
• Amy Kuntz, Frank E. Schall Elementary, Caro Community Schools, Caro;
• Ashley Nicol, Frank E. Schall Elementary, Caro Community Schools, Caro;
• Kiel Henderson, Meridian Public Schools, Sanford;
• Kimberly Simon, Heritage High School, Saginaw Township Community Schools, Saginaw;
• Molly Somers, Freeland School District, Freeland;
• Polley Green, Unionville-Sebewaing Area Elementary School, Unionville;
• Sarah Schrotenboer, Eagle Village – Lighthouse Academy, Hersey;
• Victoria Stoddard, Western High School, Bay City Public Schools, Auburn;

• Angelanea Burgess, Bristol Township School District, Croydon;
• Michele Andre, Pottstown School District, Pottstown;
• Monica Wilhelm, Bristol Township School District, Croydon;

• Betty Watson, R. O’Hara Lanier Middle School, Brazosport ISD, Freeport;
• Cherish Henry, Angleton Junior High, Angleton ISD, Angleton;
• Elizabeth Padhi, Fairmont Junior High, Deer Park ISD, Pasadena;
• Haley Bell, West Columbia Elementary, CBISD, West Columbia;
• Jennifer Nicholas, Rasco Middle School, BISD, Lake Jackson;
• Jenny Vrazel, Angelton High School, AISD, Angleton;
• Michaela Bratsch, Angleton High School, AISD, Angleton;
• Nicole Domingues, Opal Hamilton Middle School, Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Cypress;
• Sheila Bean, West Columbia Elementary, CBISD, West Columbia;

• Kellie Arenz, Park View Middle School, Mukwonago Area School District, Mukwonago