Westhampton Beach High School science teacher Dr. Diana Gobler was one of 10 teachers in New York State to be selected for a prestigious Regeneron STEM Teaching Fellowship through Teachers College of Columbia University.

As part of the application process, Dr. Gobler submitted academic credentials and personal statements reflecting her knowledge and implementation of science, technology, engineering and math pedagogy, as well as evidence of prior professional development.

“This opportunity will give me the chance to strengthen my skills in teaching and understanding STEM topics that I want to improve in – specifically, engineering and coding,” she said.

Dr. Gobler said that every year, she has science research students who are interested in projects involving coding and robotics. The fellowship will broaden her knowledge in those areas so that she can pass it on to her students.

Through the fellowship, Dr. Gobler will take a Methods in STEM Education course and select electives in areas such as coding, robotics and astrobiology. The program culminates with a two-week research internship with Regeneron in the summer of 2023. At its conclusion, she will earn Leadership in STEM certification through Teachers College.

Dr. Gobler has been teaching at Westhampton Beach High School for the past six years, with course subjects including biology, science research, AP Research: STEM and biotechnology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in chemistry at Gettysburg College and her doctorate in molecular biology and biochemistry at Stony Brook University, and she worked as a researcher at Stony Brook University for a number of years before transitioning to teaching. In addition to teaching, she is co-principal investigator for the SPARK Spectroscopy High School Research Program at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Date Added: 5/9/2022