Chisholm Middle School 7th-grade science teacher Kiley Preheim recently returned from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Southern Ocean as part of the national Polar STEAM cohort. 

Selected for this prestigious program, she joined a research expedition studying ancient ocean climates, an opportunity aligned with her classroom curriculum. Her students learn about chemical reactions, photosynthesis, and Earth’s resources, and now she can bring firsthand research experience into her lessons. From analyzing stable isotopes as proxies for past climate patterns to filtering chlorophyll and collecting ocean samples, Ms. Preheim was actively involved and contributed to science that will be used for years to come. 

Preheim found it particularly inspiring to work alongside other women in STEM in such a remote and intense setting. She also engaged with marine technicians and crew members, learning about diverse career paths in oceanography beyond traditional academic routes. From deploying scientific instruments to navigating the ship, these professionals showed her how people without advanced science degrees can still play a critical role in research. 

This experience reinforced an important lesson for her students at Chisholm Middle School: you don’t have to live near the ocean—or even have a PhD—to be part of meaningful scientific work.

Preheim is especially excited to integrate her experiences into her inquiry-based teaching approach. When her students study photosynthesis, she can introduce them to diatoms and phytoplankton using photos she took on the ship. She can also share insights about how scientists measure climate patterns over millions of years, offering her Kansas-based students a unique perspective on the ocean’s vital role in global systems. Even though Newton is nearly 700 miles from the closest ocean, her students can now make tangible connections between their lessons and real-world research.

Beyond science, Preheim also was able to explore one of her other passions: art. 

Onboard, she collaborated with artist Georgia Rhodes, who led the team in exercises focused on data visualization. As part of a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project, Preheim contributed to a larger effort to make climate science more accessible through visual art. She will continue this work, with her own contributions set to be displayed in a Massachusetts gallery exhibition in the fall. 

Returning to Chisholm, Preheim was met with a warm welcome from colleagues, including a sign made by 7th grade math teacher, Kim Tate, to celebrate her return. She dedicated a class period to debriefing her students, answering questions, and sharing stories from her journey. 

Preheim’s time aboard the research vessel also deepened her appreciation for her own scientific background and training. While she pursued a career in teaching after working in the medical field, this experience reminded her of her love for research. She revisited papers from her senior seminar at Bethel College, reflecting on how her past training prepared her for the scientific work she conducted aboard the ship. 

With her experience in the Southern Ocean, Preheim plans to contribute to the National Science Olympiad, particularly in the “Glaciers” event, where she can write test materials based on her firsthand experience. Additionally, she hopes to present at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference in the coming years, sharing her insights with educators nationwide as well as the National Education Association (NEA). 

By bringing these experiences back to Kansas, she hopes to inspire students and teachers alike to see the possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings.