Chemistry teacher relates lessons on daily lives
Published: November 10, 2005
When most teachers are preparing for the next school year or teaching summer classes, William Brotz, of the Greater Johnstown School District, is learning how to fly in outer space.
Brotz, a high school chemistry teacher, has been involved with NASA’s Teacher in Space Program since 2002, when he was one of about 200 applicants to participate in the program.
“It is awe inspiring,” he said. “You get to go where most people never get to see.”
Brotz has worked at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston and at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Working with past astronauts such as Barb Morgan, the first teacher in space, Brotz said he has gained priceless experience in the program.
“I really integrate a lot of things I have learned into my programs,” he said. “I can throw that experience into my lessons.
“A lot of teachers don’t have these experiences.”
Johnna Oravec, Brotz’s student teacher, said she has grown as an educator because of Brotz’s approach to education.
Oravec, a senior at Pitt, said Brotz has calmed her nerves about teaching chemistry.
“He has definitely made an impact on me about how to handle these kids and different situations,” she said. “Things he says and does connects with them (the students), and he gets down to their level.”
James Baigmoradi, a sophomore in Brotz’s chemistry class, has learned he can succeed in science.
“He breaks it down into words that students will understand better,” Baigmoradi said. “He relates it to stuff that we know in our daily lives.”
He said Brotz incorporates the right mixture of group activities and individual projects.
Will Harris, another student, said Brotz encourages students to work hard.
“It’s a hands-on class,” he said. “It’s better than just sitting around reading a book.”
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: