By Marisa Dawson, Courtesy Photos

Bennington Public Schools science teacher and 2025 Nebraska Teacher of the Year Lindsey Wilson has been selected as a Society for Science Advocate, a year-long professional development program designed to help educators expand opportunities for students to engage in STEM research and competitions.

The Nebraska Department of Education recently announced Wilson’s selection, making her one of a cohort of educators from across the country who will receive training, mentorship and support as they work to increase student participation in authentic science and research experiences.

For Wilson, the recognition represents another opportunity to build on work she has already been doing in Bennington.

“I was beyond excited! This felt like another opportunity to expand science opportunities for our students across Nebraska and to join a cohort of educators who share the same passion,” Wilson said. “I absolutely love connecting students with authentic science experiences, so I am really excited to see where this opportunity takes us.”

The Advocate Program begins with professional development in Washington, D.C., where participants will develop individual goals and learn new ways to support students. Throughout the year, the educators will meet monthly and collaborate with one another as they work to bring more STEM opportunities and research experiences to their communities.

Wilson said one of the things she is most looking forward to is connecting with other educators who share her passion for the work.

“There is so much knowledge and experience within this cohort and I am excited to bring those ideas back to my colleagues and to my students,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to keep learning how to provide students with more opportunities to showcase their brilliance and see what they are capable of.”

Wilson has spent the past five years building science research opportunities in Bennington. After implementing the district’s science research team at the middle school, the program expanded into the high school. She has also worked with art teacher Amy Blanchard to create the Curious Creators Expo, giving students in grades 2-5 an opportunity to showcase science and art projects.

The district has also partnered with the Bennington Public Library each February to highlight middle school science research.

While Bennington students have earned awards and national recognition through those efforts, Wilson said her larger goal is to help more students recognize that science is something they can see themselves doing.

“We’ve continued to build a team of award-winning and nationally recognized students, but what matters most to me is creating opportunities for more students to see themselves as researchers and scientists,” Wilson said.

Her passion for creating those opportunities began early in her teaching career at a science magnet school in Omaha. She also helped develop the middle school Zoo Academy in collaboration with the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, giving students opportunities to work alongside scientists and see science in action as part of their education.

“There is nothing quite like watching a student suddenly see themselves as a scientist and realize that they have something to contribute to the world,” Wilson said. “That’s what has continued to drive my passion for STEM education.”

Although Wilson has already received statewide recognition as the 2025 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, she sees the Advocate Program as another opportunity to continue growing professionally and bringing new ideas back to Bennington.

“I think all great educators are constantly reflecting on how they can improve and what more they can do to provide students with unique learning opportunities,” she said. “Being named a Society for Science Advocate gives me another opportunity to learn, connect with other educators and bring new ideas back to our students.”

Several new opportunities are already on the horizon for Bennington students.

In addition to continuing to grow the science research team, Wilson spent part of the summer participating in professional development with Nebraska Game and Parks and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The work focused on creating stronger connections between students, local ecosystems and authentic scientific experiences while supporting district curriculum and standards.

This school year, students will participate in a two-day field experience with Nebraska Game and Parks. They will also have opportunities to participate in events including Voyager 1 Light Day with Nebraska Wesleyan and award-winning YouTuber Professor Sko.

But the project Wilson said she is most excited about is a new initiative launching this fall at Bennington Middle School: the ExploreLab Outdoor STEM Outreach.

The monthly program will give students structured opportunities to conduct scientific research within local ecosystems. Students will collect ecological data, develop their own research questions and share their findings during a mid-year symposium. The data collected will also contribute to a larger shared data collection effort with others across Nebraska.

“This is the kind of science I want our students to experience… real, messy, meaningful and connected to the world around them,” Wilson said.

For Wilson, however, the ultimate goal extends beyond preparing students for competitions or encouraging them to pursue careers in STEM.

She hopes students come away understanding that science begins with curiosity.

“That anyone can be a scientist,” Wilson said. “You don’t have to have all the answers to be a scientist, you have to be willing to ask questions, be curious and keep investigating. I want students to realize that they have something to contribute to the world. Their ideas matter, their questions matter and that they are capable of doing things they have never thought were possible.”