UCS teacher among 12 to take part in STEM-related outreach program in Germany

A Utica Community Schools elementary teacher was among 12 educators to take part in a two-week outreach program in Germany focused on the sciences.

Bethany Swartz, of Harvey Elementary, was part of a team of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) educators to experience Germany as part of an all-expenses paid trip as fellows of the Transantlantic Outreach Program (TOP).

The team took part in science related activities as part of the outreach program June 19 through July 4.

The TOP program selects the best and most qualified social studies and STEM educators to learn more about German through access to policy makers, elementary and high schools, vocational schools, universities, corporations, manufacturers, NGOs, cultural venues, and much more. The TOP study tours offer a behind-the-scenes view into the pulse of German culture, which educators then bring back to their students and communities.

The Transatlantic Outreach Program - a non-profit, public/private partnership between the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Goethe-Institut, Deutsche Bank, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, and the Siemens Corporation - was founded in 2002 to promote education about Germany, to encourage intercultural dialogue, and to provide the opportunity for North American social studies and STEM educators to experience Germany in person.

TOP promotes awareness of Germany within the context of its education and political systems, apprenticeship training, corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability, culture, history, geography, and more.

In addition to its study tours, TOP supports educators with a full complement of free teaching materials and sponsors over 300 professional development seminars per year.

To learn more about TOP, visit http://www.goethe.de/top