Barbara-Ann Adcock

Powhatan, VA | K-6, Science, 2014

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

The importance of STEM Education for our students is what motivates me to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching. STEM education is essential in today’s world because it equips students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven society. As science and innovation continue to shape the global economy, understanding STEM subjects becomes crucial not only for those pursuing technical careers but for all citizens who must make informed decisions in everyday life.

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

The most transformative moment that affirmed my impact on STEM education was when I received the PAEMST Award. It opened up a network of other like-minded educators, as well as opportunities to make a larger impact on STEM education.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a Presidential Awardee, I have had opportunities on a local, state, and national level. At a local level, I have been able to impact STEM in my role as a STEM coach. On the state level, I have led other STEM teachers to develop statewide lessons, as well as leading professional development for the Virginia Department of Education. On the national level, I have worked with 100Kin10 project groups to develop a STEM Mentoring Toolkit which was shared nationwide.

Biography

Barbara-Ann Mott Adcock has been an educator for 38 years, including 28 years as a classroom teacher working with students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In her classroom, she fostered a student-centered, inquiry-based learning environment focused on hands-on science, experimentation, and children’s engineering. She guided students in developing an outdoor classroom to promote environmental stewardship. Her dedication to STEM education led her to found the elementary STEM program in her county. That initiative grew into her current position as the district’s STEM Instructional Coach, where she supports K–5 teachers and students. Barbara received the Brown Fellowship from the Library of Virginia, using it to design STEM-integrated lessons inspired by the Flora of Virginia. These lessons allowed students to meet curriculum standards through outdoor, cross-disciplinary learning. She has led workshops across the state to share this work. She has also worked with 100Kin10 project groups and co-authored the nationally distributed STEM Mentoring Tool-kit, designed to help educators and organizations build effective STEM mentoring relationships. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Mary Margaret Scobey Award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA). In 2021, the elementary STEM program she developed was one of only two in the world honored with ITEEA’s Program of Excellence Award. Barbara shares her passion for science and STEM through her work as Membership Chair of the Virginia Association of Science Teachers and as a member of its Professional Development Institute Committee. She regularly leads professional development sessions for educators through the Virginia Department of Education STEM workshops.

High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
Awardee holding Presidential certificate between Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Dr. John P. Holdren, and Assistant Director, Directorate for Education and Human Resources, National Science Foundation, Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy.
High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.