Judy Bower
Harrisburg,PA
Summary
Enthusiastic, creative and highly dependable Educator and a Smithsonian Teacher Innovator Institute Ambassador. Proven ability to collaborate across departments, co-teach/lead STEAM projects and develop experiential education opportunities that support the Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices. Solid communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills. Passionate about science/environment and for challenging children/youth to become the best they can be.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Tec Ed Teacher
PA Steam Academy
Harrisburg , PA
06.2022 - Current
- Established and maintained hydroponic garden to enhance educational programs.
- Mentor teacher
- Coached Kidwind Solar teams to excel in regional competitions.
- Received training and executed curriculum for Thinking Bigger, Shared Waters, and Kidwind Solar initiatives.
Science Teacher
The Londonderry School
Harrisburg, PA
01.2004 - 05.2022
- Develop curriculum and teach 1st through 8th grade science with a strong focus on environmental literacy.
- Coordinate afterschool science club for students to create wind turbine blades/bases to enter Kidwind Challenge.
- Coach student extracurricular activity to design/build rockets to enter the Team America Rocket Challenge.
- Co-lead a STEAM project 'It’s About Time!' with students building their own timekeeping devices.
- Led students through the geo-inquiry process to discover the effect of our food choices on the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Coached eight teams in The Kidwind Challenge to four different national competitions.
- Influential in integrating Kidwind Challenge, Green, Team and an annual Enviroblitz to the school’s curriculum.
- Instrumental in the school being named a Pennsylvania Chesapeake Champion School.
- Created a Maker Space area in the classroom for creative exploration/engineering/tinkering/inventing.
- Created a fundraiser for students - Pop Up Restaurants to help pay for the students’ 2-3-day trip to Chesapeake Bay where they learned about the environmental impact on the Bay.
- Initiated tree planting in an urban park, no-waste lunches, biodegradable paper good use and composting at school, organic gardens for all classrooms, plans and a grant to construct an off-the-grid (yurt) classroom, a grant to purchase rain barrels to collect water for the organic garden, rocket camp, science fair, and student water testing in the building.
Owner/Presenter
Judy Bower Science
Harrisburg, PA
05.2006 - 08.2016
- Designed and implemented science-themed presentations to coordinate with the Summer Reading Program at libraries in Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties.
- Taught week-long camps on model rocketry, force and motion, physics and inventions at The Londonderry School, Penn State Kids College and The Jewish Community Center.
Substitute Librarian
Dauphin County Library System
Harrisburg, PA
03.1998 - 05.2013
- Substituted at circulation/reference desk/children’s services or Born to Read program as needed/available.
Coordinator
Dauphin County Library System
Harrisburg, PA
12.1996 - 05.1997
- Coordinated 'Born to Read' programs.
- Presented information to expectant mothers.
- Encouraged development of early literacy skills through board books, finger plays, songs and rhymes.
Children’s Librarian
Dauphin County Library System
Harrisburg, PA
05.1992 - 05.1993
- Maintained children’s section of the Uptown and Downtown branches.
- Purchased new books and materials within limited budgets.
- Provided story times, library tours and outreach to schools, families and other groups.
Education
B. S. - Elementary Education
Pennsylvania State University
Middletown, PA01.1992
Skills
- Science Teacher
- Experiential Educator
- Curriculum Design/Development
- Strategic Planning
- STEM/STEAM Advocacy
- Lesson Planning/Implementation
- Program Development
- Project Based Learning
- Children/Youth Mentoring
- Entrepreneur
- Environmental Literacy
- Coach/Mentor/Speaker
Testimonials
- Judy developed creative, informative, funny and interactive STEM themed programs that she began presenting around the area…She has 'groupies' that attend them at multiple locations…She set the tone and scope of what was to become an award-winning success story for Dauphin County Library., Linda Moffett
- She designs and implements lessons that captivate her learners and inspire them to carry their curiosity beyond the classroom and into the community and natural environment to further enrich their experience., Susan Ray Kempski, J.D., M. Ed., Assistant Director and Elementary Administrator, The Londonderry School.
Education Certification Training
- FLOWe: Facilitating Learning through Outdoor Watershed Education
- Certified ReCharge Labs Instructor – completed intensive training about renewable energy
- National Geographic Certified Educator and Trainer
- Smithsonian Teacher Innovator Institute Ambassador
- B. S., Elementary Education, Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, PA, 05/92, 3.87
Volunteer Experience
- Member, Pennsylvania Alliance for Geographical Education Steering Committee, 2017, Present
- Coordinator, Londonderry School Science Club, 2008, Present
- Coordinator, Londonderry School Rocket Club, 2007, 2020
- Volunteer, Paxtang Lions Club, 2016, Present, Co-Chair White Cane Days
- Past volunteer, Project Open Book, Created and presented story-time programs at local homeless shelters.
- Past Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, 15 years
- Volunteer, Capitol Area Science and Engineering Fair, 2010, Present
- Volunteer, Annual Sensory Picnic for Autism Society, Greater Harrisburg Area, Bring blender bike to make smoothies so children can learn about electrical power while experiencing ability to ride a stationary bike., 2016, Present
Notable Accomplishments
- Smithsonian Teacher Innovator Institute Ambassador (one of 30 teachers chosen nationwide).
- Name submitted to present a STEM proposal at the 07/20 National Science Teachers Association Conference.
- Created a program 'Make a Splash' and presented at Dive Deeper IV Multi-State Environmental Education Summit teaching educators how to use entertaining lesson starters/magic tricks to quickly engage students in the lessons.
Areas Of Effectiveness
- Science Teacher
- Experiential Educator
- Curriculum Design/Development
- Strategic Planning
- STEM/STEAM Advocacy
- Lesson Planning/Implementation
- Program Development
- Project Based Learning
- Children/Youth Mentoring
- Entrepreneur
- Environmental Literacy
- Coach/Mentor/Speaker
Timeline
Tec Ed Teacher
PA Steam Academy
06.2022 - Current
Owner/Presenter
Judy Bower Science
05.2006 - 08.2016
Science Teacher
The Londonderry School
01.2004 - 05.2022
Substitute Librarian
Dauphin County Library System
03.1998 - 05.2013
Coordinator
Dauphin County Library System
12.1996 - 05.1997
Children’s Librarian
Dauphin County Library System
05.1992 - 05.1993
B. S. - Elementary Education
Pennsylvania State University
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