Every child is born a scientist. Human curiosity drives kids to explore, experiment, and constantly ask why. As we get older, many have this natural desire beaten out of us by the demands of daily life, as grades become paramount and performance replaces learning. Science teachers are uniquely positioned to reignite curiosity and guide students toward a lifetime of discovery. Curiosity-driven discovery has always been central to advancing science and technology. Every invention and theory that improves our lives today once came from someone asking questions. "How does that work?" "What if there's a better way to get this done?" "Which option is actually the best?" Teachers can encourage these questions and provide guidance toward finding answers, empowering the next generation of researchers. Science classes are among the most important a student can take because of how they can train and expand the mind. Done well, a science class can teach students how to think critically, problem-solve, apply concepts to the real world, analyze data, develop meaning from facts, ask good questions, avoid bias, and seek to advance the status quo. Beyond applications for future STEM careers, these skills apply to all career paths and areas of life, making science students better equipped to make progress in both society and their personal lives. For me, science is also a source of joy. I love the natural world, and some of the happiest times of my life have come while exploring the great outdoors; friends, family, and students often come to me with questions, and we have a great time working through what we already know and speculating on what we don't. In teaching what I know about science, I've been able to open up conversations that lead people to feel empowered, get invested in causes, take an active role in learning, and find positive motivation for education. Science classes are uniquely able to have fun and get students involved, from experiments to field trips to real-life applications and questions; having fun in the classroom can be crucial for students' mental health and attitude toward school, while also improving learning. When I become a science teacher, I will inspire and empower my students to follow their natural curiosity and find joy in discovery. I'm excited for this career path because I will be able to help students take charge of their education, develop the way they think, and always keep asking questions.

To paraphrase the Bible, at times we all drink from wells we did not dig and warm ourselves by fires we did not light. In my life, there have been countless times I've benefited from the work of others. There were my selfless parents who put much of their own lives on hold to raise children, providing us with not only the necessities of life but with music lessons and birthday parties and opportunities to grow. There were the founders of the nation I live in, who established a system that would protect my basic human rights. There were the brave women of the suffrage movement, because of whom I can vote and influence politics. There were my ancestors who suffered violence and torment because of their religion and were driven out of their homes, but found a fresh start and gave all of their posterity a better chance. My life is immeasurably better than it might have been if not for these people. I used to wonder what I did to deserve all this. I've realized that I don't. Every human being is equally deserving of a good life; I'm just one of the lucky ones. Because I'm in a relatively fortunate position, I have the chance to help the people around me and pay it forward. To me, generosity stems from simply caring about our fellow humans and wanting to do what we can to help. Many parts of life are still horrible and unfair, but if we do what we can to help each other through, we have the power to make things better. As they say, society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they will never sit.

When Charles Darwin embarked on his infamous trip, he had no idea what was to come. He neglected medical school, didn't qualify to study to become a parson, and regularly disappointed his father who only reluctantly agreed to let him go on the voyage. While on the Galapagos, he was really just messing around: riding tortoises, poking animals, pulling iguanas' tails. He didn't even understand what he had seen or realize the implications until months later. And yet, Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection completely revolutionized the study of the natural world and is taught as a foundation in most modern biology courses. Darwin's story holds a special place in my heart because he's just like every innocent science student when they first get started. He didn't care for many aspects of school, but applied himself where it mattered to him and jumped at the chance to assist with research. He wasn't looking to revolutionize anything, win a prize, strike it rich, prove a point--he was driven by simple human curiosity. Why is that thing the way it is? How did that come to be? I picture him scrambling across the rocky beaches like a child, drawing up clumsy but earnest diagrams, annoying the crew with his rambling and wondering. He made many mistakes along the way, but his honest inquiry and open mind redefined biology. For me, Darwin's work is foundational in two ways. First, natural selection provides a basis and mechanism for understanding biodiversity. Second, I think he shows us what true science ought to be. I study the world for the wonder of it: the joy of the outdoors, the thrill of discovery, the chance to ride a tortoise or two. I study for the hope of understanding why.