With over two decades of experience as a science educator ranging from teaching middle school science for the Cambridge Public Schools in Massachusetts to serving as a member of the faculty in the biology department at Georgetown University, Amy D’Amico, PhD, joined the Smithsonian Science Education Center in 2013 where she currently oversees professional development and leadership development initiatives. In addition to serving as a middle school science teacher leader, during her time in Cambridge she also worked on various educational and consulting projects with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the American Museum of Natural History. Dr. D’Amico earned her BA in Biology with a minor in Education for Certification from New York University and received a MS and a PhD in Biology from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Student Voices brings together a panel of high school and college students in the TRiO program to share authentic perspectives on what makes science teaching meaningful, engaging, and accessible from elementary through high school. Panelists will discuss their best hands‑on experiences, memorable teachers, reasons for choosing their fields of study, how labs and projects shaped their learning, and practical suggestions teachers can use immediately to boost curiosity and inclusion in science classrooms.
About TRiO: TRiO programs at Midlands Technical College provide an assistance support system for disadvantaged students to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams of college degrees. These programs aim to ensure success for students who otherwise may not have the means to complete higher‑education degrees by offering academic coaching, mentoring, financial aid guidance, and resources that promote persistence and achievement.