Flip the Script – When the Teacher Went to School

Meggan Lint is a teacher who spent much of her summer in our Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program. Meggan has a goal of continuous learning so she can “embolden my students to achieve their goals outside of the classroom.”

We like to believe that being immersed in her project, “Comparative Analysis of Growth and Development in Maize under Shade (Low Red Far Red Ratio) Light and White Light Conditions Under Perennial Ground Cover Crop (PGC),” did just that with the help of her mentors and RET advisors Thomas Lübberstedt, Leticia Prada De Miranda, Diego Caixeta, and Memis Bilgici.

Here is what Meggan had to say at the end of the summer: “This experience is unlike any other experience I’ve ever been a part of, and it was amazing!! If you had told me, in the beginning, that this summer would feel more like summer camp when I was eight years old, I wouldn’t have believed you. I felt the same feelings—anxiety, excitement, and not knowing if I would fit in—about this summer course as I had when I first went to a week of sleepaway camp. And much like being at sleepaway camp, we learned from each other, played, and explored.”

You can learn more about Meggan and her RET colleagues at https://www.regenpgc.org/theme-3-education/graduate-education/.

Undergrad Research Experiences, Influencing Two Generations

RegenPGC

Education is a large part of our RegenPGC project. With our summer Research Experience for Undergraduates program, we get to influence two generations of learners! Mikayla Sampson-Pagan (University of South Florida) is looking forward to a career as an elementary school education teacher. Thanks to the guidance of her summer mentors and teachers (RegenPGC Team Members Shuizhang Fei, Rickiel R. Franklin da Silva, Patrick Galland, Maureen Griffin, Kenneth J.Moore, and Susana Goggi), Mikayla’s summer adventure will shape her teaching philosophies for years to come.

What was the biggest takeaway from your research experience with RegenPGC?
“Always remember to promote belonging. This includes remembering that it is okay to make mistakes. This program has taught me the scientific side of research. Research is constantly changing day to day. There are errors, repeating activities, and constant learning.”

Learn more about Mikayla’s  research at https://lnkd.in/gnXd4xK3