Tucker McCord

Chemistry Teacher

Logansport High School

BS Chemistry Education (Minor in EAPS) – Spring 2017

As a student, I constantly struggled with science, but I soon discovered that overcoming difficult problems and concepts made learning them so much more satisfying. During my time at Purdue University, many of my classes and participation in student organizations pushed me to learn not only for myself, but for sharing with others. This was exemplified in my Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry course with Dr. Johnathan Wilker; his class broke our prior understanding down to the core and showed us how the basics are often the foundation of innovation. As a chemistry teacher at Logansport High School, IN, I do my best to emulate those experiences for my students. My current goal is to use digital visualizations, chemical demonstrations, physical models, and stories to capture their curiosity, build their understanding, and encourage them to face the unknown. To help reach students outside of my own classroom, I’ve also collaborated with Purdue’s Science Express outreach program—an opportunity I likely would have missed if I hadn’t attended Purdue. My involvement in the Purdue University Geological Society, the American Chemical Society – Student Affiliates, the Purdue Math Education Club, and undergraduate research with Dr. Marcy Towns’ group gave me hands-on practice with public speaking, social coordinating, and educational techniques—all of which are necessary for my line of work. Aside from making connections with fellow students and professors and working hard in classes, being involved in extracurricular organizations and projects is imperative for preparing a boilermaker for their career.