2020 GrowNextGen Teacher Leader of the Year award winner
GrowNextGen teacher leader

Rachel Sanders

Science Instructor and FFA Advisor at Global Impact STEM Academy

Rachel knows a lot about: agriscience, biology, biotechnology, career tech, food science, science fair, stem, biofuels

What was your “aha” moment when you realized the value of using agriculture as a vehicle to teach science?

The “aha” moment for using agriculture as a vehicle to teach science was as unique as the program we are creating at Global Impact. I used bio-based products as the way to introduce my students to the agriculture industry. With the help of my female students, we turned bioproduct activities into “Women in Stem” nights; these serve as a recruiting tool and give us an avenue for introducing more females to careers in STEM.

Let us match you up →

Want to connect with a teacher leader or industry leader but aren’t sure where to start? Looking for an expert to provide data, supplies, background information or to arrange a field trip? No problem—we’re here to help! Just fill out this short form and we’ll get busy finding a great match for your needs.

More like this at GrowNextGen

unit
Moving genes: intro to genetic engineering
unit

Moving genes: intro to genetic engineering

5 lessons, 14 files
How do we solve the problems created by 9 billion people? How will we feed 9 billion on about the same amount of land? An introduction to genetic engineering through hands-on and modeling activities that illustrate concepts, which will scaffold student understanding for lab activities to follow, especially focused on …
article
Meet our teacher leaders
article

Meet our teacher leaders

Whitney Short teaches agriscience and biotechnology to 7th-12th graders at Anthony Wayne High School in Perrysburg, Ohio. She recently attended the Commodity Classic in Florida with a group of educators and found the collaboration really helpful in …
article
article

Stuck without science fair ideas?

Tired of the familiar old baking-soda-and-vinegar “volcano”? The potato clock? The effect of colored lights on plants? Well, yawn no more—we’ve got lots of exciting ideas for your next science fair project! GrowNextGen has fantastic units that lend …
unit
Gel electrophoresis basics
unit

Gel electrophoresis basics

3 lessons, 13 files
How might students identify patterns in samples of DNA or proteins? In what ways can we see if the gene(s) of interest are present? This unit leads students through the process of setting up gel electrophoresis chambers, understanding the mechanics, and experimenting with various aspects of running gels.