Sweetwater Districts very own Marielle Venturino, science teacher at Mar Vista Academy, was selected for the Fulbright Distinguished Award in a Teaching Research Program. The program based in the Netherlands is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Venturino will be spending approximately five months of the Spring 2021 school year in the Netherlands to complete an inquiry based research project. The title of her working project: “Using Technology to Build Bridges in Science Education Between School and the Community.”
“I love seeing the faces of my students light up when they’ve learned something new,” said Venturino. “They ask some of the most profound questions and are always so curious.”
Venturino has been with the Sweetwater District as a teacher for nine years and has also taught at Castle Park Middle School and Granger Junior High.
Venturino is among 22 other U.S educators who plan to travel to 10 other countries around the globe to participate in the Fulbright Program.
She was selected for the grant on the basis of academic and professional achievement, leadership skills, as well as a history of service to her school community.
The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program created to increase mutual understanding and build lasting connections between the citizens of the United States and other countries.
As a participant in the Fulbright Program, Venturino will address critical global challenges in all fields, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the U.S.
“In my class, it’s always been a priority of mine to make science fun with hands-on labs and activities,” said Venturino. “Specifically my goal has been to plan engaging lessons to spark their curiosity and the joy of learning. By participating in the Fulbright Program, I believe I will be given the opportunity to that in new and innovative ways.”
For more information on the Fulbright Program visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.
