NOTUS, Idaho — Editor's note: This content is sponsored by CapEd Credit Union.
From science experiments and handwriting analysis to the basics of atoms and molecules, Notus science teacher Nick Forbes knows how to make education mole-cool.
Colleagues of Forbes told KTVB that Forbes has perfected the formula to keeping his students engaged through exciting, innovative methods.
“I'm a pretty big nerd,” Forbes said. “I enjoy getting to share that with other people.”
As the science teacher at Notus Jr/Sr High School, Forbes experimented with his class lessons -- by incorporating inquiry-based activities into his classes.
“So, things where we get to ask, have students ask questions that they try to get the answer to themselves,” Forbes said. “Whether that's something like, just you know, before thanksgiving break for chemistry, we did a thing where the students had to identify some variable that they could change about making thanksgiving food.”
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In his forensics class, students are provided the opportunity to experiment with techniques such as blood-stain pattern detection and handwriting analysis.
“We did something with looking at arson investigations. so like, how could they identify different patterns and break down buildings, so they get to build little, you know, small houses that have, you know, wood and stuff and burn those down and see the patterns of that,” Forbes said.
Forbes credits his innovative approach to the vast distractions of a classroom -- and his mission to defeat them by enticing his students with creative activities.
“I’m someone who gets distracted as easily as anyone else,” Forbes said. “So, I totally understand the difficulty that kids have when it comes to paying attention and I mean, there's so many things competing for your attention, it's definitely helpful when they're doing something that they get some control over.”
He teaches students in the 8th and 9th grades, as well as senior students in 11th and 12th grades.
“Personally, on a selfish level, I get to revert back to my middle school self and just like oh my god, I’m just playing around and just doing random science experiments and you know, this is great, but then you get to, you know, interact with the kids and they're all wonderful," Forbes shared.
Forbes' "favorite part of teaching is the students," Forbes said as he continued to express his gratitude for both the kids and the people he works with.
"Nothing at all would be possible without a great group of kids like I have,” Forbes said. “Teaching really does take takes a village, and it takes really great people around,” Forbes said. “I'm lucky enough to have a great team of people here with me.”
Forbes received a CapEd grant to be build a telescope that will be used in his astronomy class next semester.
Educators, for information on submitting an application for a classroom grant through the Idaho CapEd Foundation, visit www.capedfoundation.org. If you would like to nominate an Innovative Educator, send us an email to innovativeeducator@ktvb.com.
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