Kids need hands-on experiences to maximize their opportunities to learn new concepts. That idea comes through loud and clear from 2025 RegenPGC Research Experience for Teachers participant Jessica Garland. We believe that with the help of her RegenPGC mentors, Dr. Richard Roth and graduate student Alioune Diopp, her summer experiences will serve both her and her students well! Learn more about our two summer programs, the Research Experience for Teachers and the Research Experience for Undergraduates, at https://www.regenpgc.org/theme-3-education/2023-ret-reu-programs-copy/.
Jessica Garland… I grew up in Johnston, Iowa, and currently live in Ankeny, Iowa, with my husband and three kids. I earned my degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University and later completed my master’s degree at Viterbo University. I’ve been teaching 5th grade for 15 years and love engaging students across all subject areas. In addition to classroom teaching, I also run a science and engineering club that brings hands-on STEM experiences to young learners. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, and finding creative ways to make learning exciting. Something unexpected about me? I love to garden —it’s my favorite way to relax and reconnect with nature.
I applied to the RET program because… I’m passionate about bringing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities to my students. I’m always looking for ways to deepen my understanding of STEM concepts so I can better engage and inspire young learners. This project is a great opportunity to grow professionally, collaborate with others, and bring fresh, research-based ideas back to my classroom.
My expectations of the RET program are… to gain new insights and practical strategies to make STEM learning more meaningful and engaging for my students. I’m also excited to collaborate with other educators and bring back fresh ideas to enhance my teaching and science club activities.
How do you see this experience impacting your classroom? I see this experience having an impact on my classroom by enriching my teaching with real-world scientific applications and research-based practices. By engaging in hands-on research, I will be able to bring authentic STEM experiences to my students, making science more engaging, relevant, and inquiry-driven. I plan to integrate what I learn into my lessons, incorporating more hands-on experiments, problem-solving activities, and connections to real scientific careers.
