Ada Smies, a sophomore at Dordt University studying secondary STEM education, has been named a Noyce Scholar. She will also serve as an intern in the university’s Gibson Research Lab.
Ada Smies, a sophomore secondary education major from Waupun, Wisconsin, has been selected as a Noyce Scholar for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Smies has also accepted a Noyce internship at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Alma College’s Research Experiences in STEM Settings (RESS) ten-week summer program offers undergraduate STEM students preparing to become high school science teachers an opportunity to conduct mentored research while developing classroom-ready lesson plans inspired by their work.
Smies will be working in the Gibson Research Lab with another undergraduate student intern. “Our goal is to increase the possible crystalline structures of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with thiolated DNA (DNA with a thiol group attached) by reimagining the crystallization process,” says Smies.
Through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, Dordt has been working to equip more teachers for high-needs STEM areas. “Being selected as a Noyce Scholar distinguishes a student's resume,” says Dr. Valorie Zonnefeld, professor of mathematics and principal investigator on the Noyce Grant at Dordt. “This internship continues that and provides research experience with an intentional focus on how to translate it into the K-12 classroom.”
As part of her RESS internship, Smies will also be able to present her work to other scholars. Zonnefeld highlights that conference participation is a key aspect of professional development, helping future teachers gain the knowledge and skills essential for effective teaching. “Along with internships, Noyce scholars have opportunities to attend conferences on STEM teaching,” says Zonnefeld. “These conferences have been influential in the development of the fantastic STEM teachers we have graduated from the Noyce program.”
“Being selected as a Noyce scholar means that I have more opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of my content areas while exploring research-based strategies to create learning opportunities for my future students,” adds Smies. “It’s a blessing to have these experiences as I develop as a teacher.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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