A Trip to the Nation's Capitol:
Reflecting on Science, Education, & Opportunity

On the north wall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in our nation’s capital are these words:

 “I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.”

Seeing these words while attending the 2025 Noyce Summit in Washington, D.C., made me reflect deeply on my ability to make a difference in the lives of people—here, there, and everywhere.

The Noyce Summit was a remarkable event that brought together a community of scientists and educators dedicated to expanding access to STEM education for all. The theme for the 2025 Noyce Summit was Impacting STEM Students in Rural, Urban, and Indigenous Schools: Strategies for Teacher Success. Throughout the conference, the focus was on finding and creating opportunities for students in all types of schools.

Having grown up attending a rural school, I connected quickly with many of the speakers and sessions centered on rural education. I also realized that my experience in a rural school was not the same as others’—each community has its own unique strengths and challenges. Being reminded of both the benefits and difficulties of rural schools reignited my desire to teach and eventually work in one.

With guidance from Rachel Bachman, Department of Mathematics Professor, who helps lead the Propel program at Weber State University, my classmate, Jenna Wasden, and I shared how Weber State is encouraging STEM majors to become educators. Sharing my experiences through the Propel program helped me feel more confident in my path and solidified my identity as both a scientist and an educator.

Beyond the conference, I visited several monuments on the National Mall and spent time in a few Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of American History. I did my best to soak up as much as I could during my time in D.C.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to visit the nation’s capital, build community, and collaborate with others toward the shared goal of expanding education for all. This trip would not have been possible without the funding provided through the NSF grant and the Propel program at Weber State University. I hope all students know that opportunities like this are available to them through Weber State University.