RALEIGH – Leah Bug is an educator who has combined her love of science and the STEM curriculum to navigate a career that has taken her the classroom to NASA and now to the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation. She recently became the Raleigh-based organization’s first executive director.

Leah Bugg

Bug was introduced to the state science and engineering fair when she volunteered to help students set up their projects for the competition last year.

“I could only attend Friday night, but I have to tell you, it left a lasting impression on me,” she said. “Just watching the students bring in their projects and all of the excitement was just catching.”

The science and engineering competition will be held this weekend as 400 students from across the state present their research.

From education to NASA

Bug’s career in education began in Idaho, where she taught grades from third to eighth for 14 years.

“It was just a great opportunity to learn about the different ages, and what they are able to learn at different grade levels,” she said.

It was during this time she began developing science standards and curriculum for elementary grades. It was through presenting workshops that she learned about a position with NASA as an aerospace education specialist.

“I could continue focusing on supporting teachers as they looked to improve their teaching of science, technology and engineering,” said Bug. “At NASA it really is an integrated STEM approach. How you are going to get to Mars takes an integrated STEM approach.”

In her first role at NASA, Bug would travel to schools and hold assembly programs about aeronautics, dressing up in a space suit and introducing students to space food. The assemblies were followed by workshops focused on helping teachers integrate aeronautics into their class activities.

Her success led to a new position at NASA headquarters, where she developed a new program called National Explorers School. The nationwide program partnered with school districts to support STEM education.

Following her time at NASA, she pursued her Ph.D. studies in science curriculum development, while continuing her work with science and engineers and presenting their work and related class activities through teacher workshops.

The science fair

Bug was teaching at N.C. State part-time when she found a posting for a part-time executive director position with the N.C. Science Fair Foundation. After her volunteer experience the year before, she knew it was a good fit for her.

“I am really excited to be the first executive director and to work with the board and support their mission,” said Bug.

As Bug looks to the future, her goal is to build upon the work of the all-volunteer board.

“When I looked at what they have accomplished in 32 years, it was extremely impressive what they have been able to do with an all-volunteer board,” she said. “The board also saw the value of bringing a part-time executive director in to help them continue to do the good work they are doing while also expanding their reach.”

Bug also plans to expand the organization’s reach to underrepresented groups.

“Part of our mission is to engage the underrepresented student population,” she said. “I will be looking at ways to partner with regional directors and businesses throughout the state and looking at scientists, engineers and computer programmers who are interested in being mentors for students engaging in science research.”