When Chance Wilczynski,’24, was in middle school in Pinconning, Michigan, he despised science class.
He especially disliked when his junior high teacher, Jennifer Krengielski, would pose a scientific question and then, instead of answering it, point to a poster in her room that said “THINK.”
“I thought it was stupid,” Wilczynski said, “but found myself thinking more and more, even when it cut into my after-school video game time. I discovered I liked science, and I became passionate about it.”
Wilczynski, who graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) with a degree in applied engineering sciences and today is a manufacturing and engineering associate at General Mills, never forgot the impact of Krengielski’s inspiring lessons and nominated her for the 2025 Green Apple Teaching Award. This prize is presented annually by the MSU College of Engineering to honor a K-12 teacher for inspiring students to study math, science and engineering.
A graduate of Saginaw Valley State University, Krengielski began teaching elementary students in Pinconning in 1991 and switched to the middle school in 2001. Her favorite subject was science, and she often referred to a Claude Lévi-Strauss quote: “The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions.”
“I’m proud to say that in my classroom, you couldn’t just listen and reiterate – you had to think,” Krengielski said.
Wilczynski helped present the Green Apple Teaching Award to Krengielski during the Engineering Alumni Awards banquet in East Lansing on May 3.
“I am thankful,” Krengielski said, “that I inspired some amazing students, like Chance, who continues to inspire others today.”
Added Wilczynski, “She transformed my outlook and that changed the trajectory of my entire world.”
Find out more on Jennifer Krengielski and the 2025 Alumni Award recipients here.
Written by Patricia Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page