Carson City teacher named finalist for national award

The thunderous applause was so overpowering from staff and students on April 24 when K-5 computer teacher Adrienne Wiggins’ name was called during an assembly, she couldn’t hear it at first. A fellow teacher had to prompt her to the stage when State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert called her as a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The recognition was emotional, and her students later asked why.

“I felt like the adrenaline was pumping … and I told my kids that sometimes when you’re happy that you have good tears,” Wiggins told the Appeal. “I am so extremely humbled and honored. I was like, with all the kids chanting, it was so sweet.”

Wiggins was selected as a finalist for one of the nation’s highest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) awards for the PAEMST program April 24 at Empire Elementary School. The PAEMST are administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Finalists are chosen based on their deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and ability to encourage students to excel given high academic standards.

Wiggins has taught at Empire 12 years and has served as Empire’s STEM coordinator. She said her goal was to provide more science and math opportunities students and staff and has been proud to help fellow staff members receive their STEM certification. In 2020, the school met the requirements to be designated as an official Governor’s STEM School based on national best practices that establish a certain criteria in curriculum, learning environment, leadership and stakeholder engagement.

“The goal of STEM fellowship is to increase teams in all K-12 classrooms,” she said. “The work we do is in our K-12 classrooms and to provide equity within STEM. So we have a lot of community partners, and we’re really fortunate.”

The district has partnered with nonprofits to bring projects for students to fruition, including Project ReCharge and Envirolution, and last year, Empire’s Green Biz Kids club was formed and had encouraged responsible environmental and conservation practices. Empire also hosted a summit in October, partnering with the Green Schools National Network to bring a two-day showcase demonstrating the school’s commitment to providing an exchange of ideas relating to sustainability and green education. The event was a success, and the GSNN has approached Empire about offering it again this year, she said. She also wanted to encourage other Carson City schools and neighboring districts to do the same.

Wiggins also has written grants to enhance STEM education in the school’s classrooms.

“The whole point is to get best practices in the classroom and get grants for bringing the resources into the schools,” she said. “We want to be able to start partnerships and offer hydroponics and green plants. We’re working on that.”

Wiggins is one of four finalists from Nevada. State winners will receive a certificate signed by the president, a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and a $10,000 award from the NSF.