This time on the Anatomy in Clay® Learning System podcast, a chat with Dr. Amit Kumar and four students from Urbana STEMM in Urbana, Maryland. The four students are all ninth-graders - Rhea Ramesh, Aarna Chakavarty, Ritika Rajesh, and Hamsini Chintala.

In his professional life, Dr. Kumar is a Health Science Administrator at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health. He started at NIH as a post-doctoal fellow and has stayed at NIH since 1998, leading to his current position.

Dr. Kumar enjoys volunteering his time for the community. Dr. Kumar has been engaging students (Elementary, Middle and High schools) in many educational and community activities through his non profit organization Urbana STEMM. (The second ‘M’ stands for Mindfulness.)

The program recruits and trains high schoolers who then go on to teach math, robotics, human anatomy and other STEMM related activities. Many of his volunteers have earned awards including the presidential service award from AmeriCorp and awards from Point of Light and Frederick County government and education boards. The students in the program also engage in lot of community activities and programs such as community gardens, community road and park and nature wood cleaning, food and book drives, battery recycling to name a few,

Dr. Kumar is also the Maryland coordinator of Recycle My Battery organization, which has about 60 student members in Frederick. Through their efforts, they have recycled about 30,000 batteries in Frederick and educated thousands of residents.

Dr. Kumar also volunteers with local and national organizations such as Asian American Center of Frederick, Ekal Foundation and Northsouth Foundation that generate funds from their social and educational activities in the US to help underprivileged kids in tribal and poor villages of India.

More about Urbana STEMM:

https://www.ustemm.org/

Intro and Outro music "Vicious Pen" courtesy of Moby Gratis

https://mobygratis.com/

Erica Huggard is a veteran educator with 18 years of experience who teaches at Emporia High School in Emporia, Kansas. Erica holds a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction and additional 36 graduate hours in science. Erica is a lifelong learner, leader in the profession, collaborative team member, advocate, and student-centered educator. Erica is committed to her students, instructional practice, and the transformative impact of public education. She is specifically passionate about creating a hands-on learning environment for all students. Erica has found her purpose and passion in education, with the success of her students serving as her constant source of inspiration. Erica’s favorite part of being an educator is knowing that her impact extends far beyond the classroom and into the future, making a lasting difference in the lives of her students.

More about Emporia High School:

https://ehs.usd253.org/

Intro and Outro music "Vicious Pen" courtesy of Moby Gratis

https://mobygratis.com/

Deanna Wynn is a Biology and Earth/Environmental Science teacher at The Middle College at UNCG in Greensboro High Point, N.C. Now in her 21st year as an educator she has taught science to students ranging from sixth to twelfth grade. A graduate of Bennett College with a degree in Biology and a master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro in Curriculum and Instruction, she has had the distinct honor of being named Guilford County Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 academic year. Deanna continued her commitment to education by earning an advanced certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, in Early Adolescent Science.

More:

https://www.gcsnc.com/middle_college_at_uncg

Intro and Outro music "Vicious Pen" courtesy of Moby Gratis

https://mobygratis.com/