In this episode of the Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast, hosts Cyndi Burnett and Matthew Worwood are joined by Neil Bergenroth, an innovative educator and coach passionate about integrating rowing and STEM education.
Neil discusses how his programs leverage rowing machines funded by a grant to provide every student with the opportunity to experience and choose rowing as an elective. He shares his emphasis on authenticity, passion, and building confidence in students through the fusion of teaching and technology.
Neil’s initiative demonstrates a unique method of engaging students in physics principles by using real-time data from rowing machines, thereby creating tactile learning experiences that bridge physical activity and academic concepts.
Neil highlights the importance of nutrition, sleep, and strong relationships for success in both sports and life, aligning these factors with the process of creativity and innovation. The episode concludes with valuable tips for educators on integrating passion, creating safe learning spaces, and bringing authenticity into their teaching practices.
Some students think, oh, I’m computer science. That’s really hard. I
don’t know if I can do that. But then you sit them down, you teach
them to do something. In that moment of it’s more like a huh. And
that huh means I did it. It wasn’t that hard. Maybe I could do this.Neil Bergenroth
Neil Bergenroth is a life-long educator/rowing coach, award-winning app developer, entrepreneur, and USRowing Level III rowing coach who values community service and developing innovative learning environments. Bergenroth is the Director of the Upper School Technology department and the Pauline McFarlin Walter Upper School Master Teacher Chair at Holland Hall, an Episcopal School in Tulsa, OK. Bergenroth also currently serves as Director of Outreach at Tulsa Youth Rowing Association.
Bergenroth has combined his passions and created a curriculum integrating rowing and STEM. He also manages programs that have been established to provide more access to the sport of rowing in under-resourced communities. With over twenty-five years of classroom teaching and coaching experience, Bergenroth aspires to develop student-athletes who strive to impact their communities.
Episode Debrief
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