21st Century Skills: Two 3E Science Experts Reflect
Two of the expert speakers who inform and dialog with teachers participating in the 3E Institute Emerging Science and Technologies course are Dr. William Wunner and Dr. Don Bergmann. Both offer presentations in their scientific specialties and answer questions for teams of educators researching possible solutions to a human disease problem that has been posed in a problem based learning (PBL) scenario.
Dr. William Wunner
Dr. Wunner is Director of Educational Outreach at Philadelphia’s Wistar Institute, the oldest biomedical institution in the United States. Wistar’s researchers have developed treatments or cures for rabies, rubella, cancers and other diseases. Earlier in his career Wunner did extensive research to develop improved rabies vaccinations for wildlife.
In recent years, Dr. Wunner, known as Bill to his many friends, has devoted much of his energy to finding and training talented professionals and laboratory assistants from the diverse talent pool of Philadelphia. Among the 54 individuals who have completed the training, several have found jobs in biological research labs in the region. Bill Wunner says that in addition to meeting specific science course requirements in biology, chemistry and math, those who are most successful in this type of training demonstrate:
- Seeking an opportunity for a commitment to a career path
- Desire to learn and contribute to science and/or combating disease
- Aptitude to think logically and critically
- Strong math skills
- Self-evaluation and seeking input from others into their work
Dr. Wunner also has been an active volunteer in 3E Institute’s problem-based learning science course for educators known as Emerging Science and Technologies (EST), as well as a host for a 3E 21st Century Educator Externship. In the EST course he participates on a panel of experts who review and critique presentations. These presentations culminate the research and problem solving work of simulated “research teams” of educators looking for a solution to a major medical problem – fighting a bird flu pandemic or a virus that may call for organ tissue regeneration for many victims. Dr. Wunner endorses this problem-based learning approach as a good way to engage educators and students in basic science because of its relevance:
“We do PBL to simulate real problems in life – in people’s and animals’ health. The more we introduce learning based on purpose and application the closer we get to what is most meaningful for students. Biotechnology, in particular, is a problem solving science. We should always create a story around the concepts to be learned. Students in 6th and 7th grade should become familiar with asking, ‘What is the problem? Have you identified the problem in this?’ Teachers should be out looking for problems. They can find the stories in business.”
To hear more about Wistar Institute, 21st Century Skills and the value of problem-based learning, click here.
To spark a passion for science and math among students, Dr. Wunner recommends:
“Take advantage of natural curiosity. Engage this with the simplest organisms in field studies. When students get to play the role of a chief scientific officer, for example, they are learning what people do in their jobs.”
“In the workplace one must communicate verbally and develop a habit of verbally questioning, not feeling self-conscious about it. Scientists must be able to communicate and report results. More ideas than you’d think come from corridor chats. This is a custom teachers can benefit from, too.”
Every summer Dr. Wunner makes time to be part of teacher professional development courses for educators at 3E Institute. He says:
“I do this because I believe in science. For me it’s a way of life, a pattern of life-long learning. There is always something new and I want to share my passion for this. If it helps teachers – or even one teacher - I’m just happy to give any useful insights I have.” To hear Dr. Wunner’s reflections on his commitment to teachers and to science, click here:
Dr. Don Bergmann
Dr. Don Bergmann is Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Tengion, a Philadelphia area clinical stage biotech company that is a leader in the field of regenerative medicine. Although Tengion is not a large company, Bergman names a long list of job opportunities in the firm, from bench research to facilities engineering to manufacturing specialties, legal team, and accounting, for example. Of course, each type of job has its own formal credentials, ranging from associate’s degree to Ph.D.
When it comes to more universal and strategic skills, Bergman emphasizes that the most valuable and successful employees are team players, work hard and accept that they must function in a change environment as part of a leading edge industry.
On the educational front Dr. Bergmann thinks it is important that teachers be qualified for their jobs and highly enthusiastic. They must work with effective, up to date curricula and adequate facilities and equipment. Also, teachers need to educate their students about career opportunities that may be open to them and to impress the idea that science and technology can provide exciting futures for them.
Bergmann, as a successful member of entrepreneurial initiatives, feels a commitment to give back to education, so he is glad to lecture and participate on panels in courses such as those 3E Institute offers.
To hear more of Dr. Bergmann’s perspective on 21st Century skills used at Tengion and why he volunteers to work with teachers, click here.