Letters to a Pre-Scientist

?? Letter Opening Parties are in full swing! Over the past two weeks, LPS students across the country have been kicking off the year by opening their first official letter from their STEM pen pals — and as you can see, they’re having an absolute blast getting to know the amazing people they'll be learning from this year! ??? Here’s a peek at some of the fun happening in Mrs. Malec and Ms. Ramirez’s classrooms! Mrs. Malec shared, “Our first letter opening day was a huge success! There were smiles all around and so much excitement hearing from our penpals!” ?? Ms. Ramirez chimed in from Tampa, FL, calling their party a “HUGE success!” ?? We’re so excited to continue sharing these awesome moments with you! Stay tuned for more Letter Opening Party highlights in the coming weeks!? #STEMpenpals #STEMforAll #LetterOpeningDay

We’re so proud of our #LPSteachers! ?? Meet Ms. Veronica, a dedicated teacher on the beautiful island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands! ?? With ten years of experience, she currently teaches Geometry, Precalculus, and 6th-grade math. This is her first year hosting LPS, and she’s excited to connect her students with STEM professionals! ??? Veronica loves the family-oriented atmosphere of her school and values her relationships with students and their families. When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her cooking, gardening, or enjoying outdoor adventures like hiking and snorkeling with her loved ones! ????? Learn more about Ms. Woods and all our incredible #LPSteachers by visiting the link below! Link ?? https://lnkd.in/evvEhCvR #STEMteachers #STEMforAll

We’re so proud of our #LPSteachers! ?? Meet Ms. Nelson, a dedicated 5th grade science and social studies teacher in Euclid, OH! ?? With 25 years of teaching experience, this is her 9th year hosting LPS. Ms. Nelson loves helping her students connect classroom lessons to the world around them! ??? When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her traveling with her five daughters, hiking, running, or walking her dog. Her passion for education and love for adventure truly shines! ????? Learn more about Ms. Nelson and all our incredible #LPSteachers by visiting the link below! Link ?? https://lnkd.in/evvEhCvR #STEMteachers #STEMforAll

?? Check out the vibrant "LPS Wall" at one of our schools this year, where we’re fortunate to have four incredible LPS classrooms!? A big shoutout to our amazing teachers: Ms. Bertacchi, Mr. Ohama, Ms. Tuck, and Mrs. Sullivan, for making this space come alive with creativity and learning. ???? #LettersToAPreScientist #LPSteachers #STEMEducation

? The LPS staff have voted -- have you?! #vote #election

We’re so proud of our #LPSteachers! ?? Meet Mrs. Benson, a passionate 5th-grade teacher in National City, California! ?? A product of the local school district, this is her 17th year teaching and 2nd year with LPS. Mrs. Benson is dedicated to instilling a sense of autonomy and responsibility in her students, encouraging them to engage with their community and pursue their passions! ??? When she’s not inspiring young minds, you can find her playing co-ed softball with her husband or running around with her 3 dogs and 2 cats. Her commitment to science, sustainability, and community service shines brightly! ???? Mrs. Benson believes in the power of real-life examples and hopes STEM professionals will help her students connect their interests with future careers. Let’s ignite their passions together! ???? Learn more about Mrs. Benson and our incredible #LPSteachers by visiting the link below! Link ?? https://lnkd.in/evvEhCvR #STEMteachers #STEMforAll

??? Program Update! ??? We have officially matched 3,071 students with STEM professionals from all around the globe! This year, our STEM pen pals live in an incredible 35 different countries! Do you see your country represented!? Our teachers share how meaningful it is to have geographically diverse perspectives represented in the program. It enables rich learning opportunities to explore new places and cultures, and broadens students' worldviews! ?? Oh, and get excited -- our first Letter Opening Parties where students open letters from their pen pals in class are starting! Stay tuned for more updates and fun moments! #STEMpenpals #LetterOpeningParty

?? Hey Pen Pals - we've got another awesome example letter to show you! Our LPS teachers and staff have annotated this letter to provide helpful insights and suggestions for future pen pals. Sarah Malec, one of our dedicated teachers, praises Dr. Tolson’s student-friendly language and clear explanation of the importance of her job. She also suggests adding a few more questions to engage the student even further!? We hope this series serves as a valuable resource for all our pen pals, making letters accessible and engaging for pre-scientists. Check out the annotated letter and get inspired to create your own!? ?? [https://lnkd.in/erWb8e8P]? Thank you, Dr. Shenell Tolson, for being an amazing pen pal and allowing us to share your letter! Let’s keep the conversation going! ?????? #STEMpenpal

We’re so proud of our #LPSteachers! ?? Meet Ms. Perry, a dedicated 7th and 8th grade science teacher spreading her passion for STEM in San Francisco, CA! ?? Originally from NYC, this is her 6th year teaching and 2nd year hosting LPS. Ms. Perry aims to inspire her students and break stereotypes about science! ??? When she’s not in the classroom, you can find her playing video games, traveling, or diving into a good book. Her commitment to education and student success truly shines! ???? Learn more about Ms. Perry and all our amazing #LPSteachers by visiting the link below! Link ?? https://lnkd.in/evvEhCvR #STEMteachers #STEMforAll

?? Attention STEM professionals! Curious about what our teachers say makes a pen pal letter engaging? Check out the latest blog posts featuring real letters from STEM pen pals to pre-scientists, annotated by LPS teachers and staff for inspiration and ideas! ?? Take a look at this timeline included in a letter from Julie Bernstorf to an 8th grader focused on STEM Career Pathways. LPS teacher Sarah Malec highlights how Julie engaged her pen pal with kid-friendly language and helpful advice. Plus, she asked great questions and included a visual timeline to make authentic connections. Sarah also suggests explaining STEM-specific terms, like "going out to the field," to enhance understanding. ?? Dive into this letter and others by visiting this link (https://lnkd.in/eZySVGDu) to see the annotations and get inspired! Thanks, Julie, for being an amazing pen pal! ?? #STEMpenpals #Mentorship