Science Super Star: María Pirner

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Science Super Star: María Pirner

April 2, 2020
María Pirner at brach with sea star attached to guide book


We are honored to recognize  María Pirner, a Kindergarten Teacher at Korematsu Discovery Academy in Oakland, as a 2020 Science Super Star!

After María noticed a curiosity from her students about the interconnections of the world around them, she devised a lesson plan on the living things that rely on trees. She had her classroom observe specific trees, and collect data on the animals that came to visit. Her students showed excitement every time they noticed an animal, "Oh my god! There are three squirrels running up this one!" and even began hypothesizing about future visitors, "There's a hole in this one. I bet an owl lives in there."  María encouraged her students to keep data models, drawings of the animals, and tally recordkeeping. This, in itself, had a profound effect on her students.

I have one student who was not interested in reading or writing at all. They used to complain and disengage with literacy content. However, when we started science inquiries and lessons, I noticed this child was always engaged and asking questions. I showed this student some science books and showed the class how scientists write and read. This completely changed my student's perspective. Now he loves to write, but he likes to write about his observations or write about things in the science center. He likes to read about spiders and the ocean. He loves to look at National Geographic Magazines.

María's students began making connections outside of their schoolyard. They recognized that other animals, including humans, use trees for shelter and oxygen. Many of her students bridged the connection to the Australian Wildfires. Maria organized a Skype session with some friends in Australia, so that her students were able to discuss what was happening, and how they could help protect trees and the natural world.


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Since then, her students have turned into "Eco-Heroes." They have created seed bombs with local tree seeds that they took to planting after learning about reforestation. They have created posters that encourage others to "Save the Trees!" and "Save the Koalas!" They also began picking up trash during recess to save the earth and help the animals.

María's advice to other teachers? 

I recently became a National Geographic Certified Educator, and this professional development course was transformational. It is free and totally online. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Let your students lead the way. Children, no matter how young, have ideas about the world. They have questions, and we can either provide them answers or give them an opportunity to discover them on their own. Find out what they are interested in learning. Ask them what they want to know, and let that be the foundation for the experiments.
Bring them outside! There is so much to discover when outdoors. They develop a true sense of connection with the natural world when they have more opportunities to engage with it."
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