Erie Elementary School teacher Kristina Stem's classroom is alive.
A pair of budgie parakeets chirp from their cage on one side of the room and Stemmy, the bearded dragon lizard, hangs off of a branch in his cage on the other side. Despite the dozen, or so aquariums and cages that already line the room, Stem is hoping to bring some new life to her students next year.
"Having life in the room makes for a lot of teachable moments," said Stem, who is the school's science lab teacher. "Now, I want to bring an astronaut to class."
Stem is hoping her new role as a 2014 teacher liaison for The Space Foundation will provide access to resources — like astronauts — that will contribute to her space lessons next school year.
Stem is one of 24 teachers around the world, and the only teacher from the St. Vrain Valley School District, selected by for the program.
The program promotes space and science education in schools by providing training and resources to teachers.
Stem, who is also the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) coordinator for the school, is hoping the resources and training will help her engage students in more hands-on, space-themed projects during the 2014-2015 school year.
"I try to give them something to get excited about because you learn better when you're engaged and having fun," Stem said.
During Stem's last space lesson, students had to wear thick gloves, large boots and helmets while moving around small parts to simulate the obstacles astronauts face on the space station.
What students didn't learn was that most astronauts on the space station smell terrible because they have to pack so light that they end up wearing the same clothes most the trip, which Stem learned from an astronaut during a presentation she attended with her family.
Erie Elementary principal Amanda Sauer said Stem's sometimes quirky and always fun methods make the lessons "more real" for kids.
Sauer said Stem's enthusiasm is infectious and she is looking forward to sitting in on class when an astronaut visits.
"That's not coming from a textbook," Sauer said. "That's first-hand stories from an expert with details and knowledge that even a great teacher like Kristina doesn't have."
Stem said she isn't sure what to expect from the program since she just learned about her acceptance last week but she hopes to use the knowledge and resources she gains to expand STEM education across the district.
Contact Times-Call community reporter Whitney Bryen at 303-684-5274 or email@example.com