Hello, my name is Kavita. I am a passionate and innovative chemistry teacher, thought leader, presenter and published author. I have engaged students in global citizenship through innovative, relevant, technology rich and student-centered curriculum, as National Geographic Education Fellow and Grosvenor Teacher Fellow,. I have positively impacted the wider educator community as NGSS@NSTA Curator and NSTA STEM Forum Steering Committee Member, I would love to hear from you. Email me [email protected] or tweet @chem_tweets
National Geographic Gilbert M. Grosvenor Educator of Year Award 2019, Award Video
What an honor to receive the inaugural educator of the year award from an organization who has inspired me since I was a little girl! Thank you National Geographic for investing in educating our youth and in the future of our planet.
NSTA STEM Forum 2019 Planning Committee Member, Video
As the all women planning committee member for this NSTA conference, we planned many inspiring educator and exhibitor sessions, invited panels and networking opportunities to provide STEM educators with the tools and the strategies for STEM teaching. it was so fulfilling to give back to the STEM Educator community that I have learned so much from.
Advisor for the Student Board --Youth Climate Action Summit 2019
Youth Climate Action Summit inspired over 500 Bay Area high school students to learn and take action against climate change. During this day-long summit, teens learned about climate change from Dr. Bob Ballard, the deep sea diver who discovered Titanic and from many other National Geographic Explorers. They attended many breakout sessions including escape room around climate change, connected with Galapagos and Florida students and used climate interactive to reduce carbon footprint. Our next summit is on March 7, 2020. To learn more, please visit Youth Climate Action Summit 2020.
Speaker at Hidden No More Event and Extra Yard for Teachers
It was a great day of advocacy for women in science."U.S. Embassies and Consulates in over 80 countries have screened the movie Hidden Figures, generating discussions on race equality, gender equality, and women in STEM careers. In the wake of these successful screenings, Hidden Figures has inspired the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to launch a professional exchange program called Hidden No More: Empowering Women Leaders in STEM. The three-week program will bring 50 women global leaders in STEM to the United States, where they will explore ways to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM fields, examine how women in STEM contribute to economic growth, and engage with scientists and engineers around the United States who support and mentor women in STEM. "
National Geographic Education Fellow 2018
National Geographic Education Fellowship has been an invaluable experience, working alongside explorers in bringing global citizenship and planetary stewardship to the classroom. "The Education Fellows support innovative project development and project leadership, share their expertise on an emerging issue or priority and help incubate new ideas for geographic education. This fellowship landed me on a stage alongside Dr. Bob Ballard, the deep sea diver and the explorer who discovered Titanic, that I am so thankful for!
Silicon Valley March for Science 2017
To bring advocacy and awareness for science education, I spoke at Silicon Valley March for Science in March 2017, at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown San Jose. Website
A selfie with Dr. Mayim Bialik, Neuroscience Ph.D., Big Bang theory actress and a fellow speaker.Neuroscience PhD, Big Bang Theory ActressNeuroscience PhD, Big Bang Theory Actress, groknation.com Founder
Grosvenor Teacher Fellow 2017 by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions
I had the honor to be one of the 35 K-12 teachers across U.S. and Canada to be chosen as Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. As a GTF, I went on an expedition to Galapagos aboard National Geographic Endeavor. In addition to my experience from this life changing expedition, I am going to bring collaboration among my students from Cupertino, CA and students from Tomas De Berlanga School in Santa Cruz, Galapagos around chemistry and global citizenship.
National Geographic Press Release, San Jose Mercury News Article, India West article, City of Cupertino
Honored by City of Cupertino for The Earth Deconstructed Event and for GTF Selection
The Earth Deconstructed Event
During this creative, informative and one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary event, nearly five hundred attendees and legions of Monta Vista students combined the fields of Art, Drama, Orchestra, Journalism, Modern Language, Language Arts, Multi Media, Science and Social Studies to bring attention and advocacy to Climate Change. This event was centered around the documentary, Before the Flood and is hosted by The Tech Museum in San Jose. San Jose Mercury News Article
National Science Teachers' Association National and STEM Forum Planning Committee Member
In addition to leadership roles at school and district level, I have contributed to science education nation wide by planning high school sessions at these conferences. I have evaluated the session proposals and provided feedback on the sessions.
Session Presenter at National Conferences
I have shared my learning with the wider science teacher community by presenting over six times at National Conferences such as APAC (College Board's Annual Conference), ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) and NSTA (National Science Teachers' Association). Here are my power point presentations. Fact or Fiction Research Project, Halloween Chemistry, Blended Classroom, The Martian Deconstructed