Hello 6th Grade Scientists & Families! 🚀

My name is Mr. McNicholas, most of my students call me Mr.M. I am part of the 6th grade team here at our amazing school. This year, I am excited for you to join our Viking family as we embark on this middle school adventure together! 

I began teaching at NWMS during the 2020-2021 pandemic school year as a first year & remote teacher. I decided to become a teacher because I know that I have so much to share with young minds and my community. Before becoming a teacher, I worked in the education department at my local zoo and at an animal hospital. At the zoo, I was ecstatic about teaching students just like you about zoology, biology, nutrition, environmental science, and conservation. I adopted two wild ones of my own... my cats' names are Pinky and Pepper. They may not be as "fur-ocious" as the tigers or lions at the zoo, but sometimes I do question their genetic makeup. During the summers, you can find me at the Greensboro Science Center, downstairs in the robotics lab or at the UNCG eSports arena teaching STEM, gaming, teaching gamers how to design their own games about Fortnite's Unreal Engine.  In my spare time, I enjoy photography, gaming, dancing, rapping, and making science content or relatable middle school humor on my Youtube Shorts. I also write my own music and perform as stage personality: Chill Nye The Science Guy, I love biking around Oak Ridge Town Park and playing video games such as Overwatch, Fortnite, Minecraft, or Pokemon. One of my favorite things to do is to go on road trips to places like the Blue Ridge Parkway to stargaze. I recently got a telescope and take it around to search for amazing objects in our sky. I just LOVE everything related to space. I am a sponsor of our Astronomy Club here at our school and also our Viking Voltage eSports & Gaming Club after school, you can check out the link to watch VVTV on Youtube. On top of all of that, I also sponsor the Asian Culture Club for all you anime lovers! We attend anime con every year. You can find out more info about these clubs in the buttons at the top of the page!

Why science, you may ask? Science is one of the fields that is constantly changing, evolving, and innovating. It just never stops getting cooler and cooler! I burst with excitement when I teach science and want to share how amazing it is with all of you! A few years ago, I was honored to work with the education specialists at the NASA Langley Research Center (this is where they filmed the movie 'Hidden Figures'). I learned about NASA STEM engagement within the classroom to help my students to one day become engineers, scientists, and even astronauts. I currently serve as an ambassador for NASA STEM Education for the state of North Carolina under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. During my first year at NWMS, I was also honored to be our school's Rookie Teacher of the Year (2020-2021) and even got to throw the first pitch at our annual Grasshopper game field trip in 2022! It was really cool! I strive to be a leader for all new teachers and was named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) representing our Piedmont Triad region and Guilford County Schools! I could not have done it without students and families just like you, and I am so electrified to be able to show you how truly amazing science can be!!!

If you would like to donate to our science class, please visit our AMAZON WISHLIST HERE. Our families are a large part of our science class. Thank you for supporting me and allowing our students to soar!

I am really looking forward to being able to work with you all this year! Remember that we're in it together, and I will be here to help you in any way that I can. Please feel free to reach out to me for anything. Go Vikings!

mcnichm@gcsnc.com
336-605-3333