KPBSD News Release
Teens respond: What can I do, invent, or create?
Soldotna, April 28, 2016—More than 300 KPBSD students competed in the Caring for the Kenai (CFK) competition this year, with $28,000 awarded to students and classrooms. The CFK essay prompt challenge is, “What can I do, invent or create to better care for the environment of the Kenai Peninsula or improve the area’s preparedness for a natural disaster?”
“I am very proud of all the finalists for Caring for the Kenai,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “This program allows the students and staff in our district to extend learning beyond the classroom in a meaningful way. These types of projects are the true measure of education in our district and exemplify what is happening on a daily basis in our classrooms. Congratulations to all of the participants and I look forward to the students taking the next step with their projects by making them happen in our communities.”
After several rounds of judging, the top 12 ideas were presented in a live competition, before a panel of community judges.
- In first place, Evangeline & Marguerite Cox [Nikiski Middle-High School] claimed $1,600 with “Breath for Pets.” Their project places pet oxygen masks in the hands of first responders on the Kenai Peninsula. “Animals are a big part of our lives, not just domestic pets but wildlife as well, and these respirators can save both in emergency situations,” said Evangeline.
- Second place and earning $1,100 is freshman Hunter Hanson [Kenai Central High School] who plans to put drones into service for environmental research, “My plan is to use drones to survey moose on the Kenai Peninsula using thermal imaging,” said Hunter.
- Third place and claiming a $900 prize is Alicia Steiner [Homer High School] who is implementing a program at her school to reduce Styrofoam tray waste, “My project is to limit the amount of Styrofoam trays by implementing ‘Tray-less Tuesday’ which is one day of the week that we don’t use any Styrofoam only paper products,” said Steiner.
- Fourth place and claiming $750 is Rowan Biessel [Homer High School], whose idea is to install algae photo bioreactors in buildings on the Kenai to combat climate change.
- Fifth place and winning $650 is Victoria Giles [Soldotna Prep] who wants to convert common trash into energy with a bio-digester that could be used in homes or landfills.
- Sixth place and winning $550 is Jacob Nabholz [Kenai Central High School] who is teaching the bio-cultural connection between people and nature by learning the meaning of ancient language of our host Dena’ina culture that reveals knowledge of local ecology.
In addition to the $8,000 in cash awards for the finalists, this year $20,000 will be awarded to the schools science departments, thanks to the CFK signature sponsor Tesoro Alaska and the community partners Kenai River Raven Lodge, Hilcorp Energy, ASRC Energy Services, Peninsula Community Health Services, and Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center.
Other finalists that earned $400 each for making it to the final 12 out of over 300 entries were:
- Robert McGinnis of Ninilchik with his mobile recycling unit
- Elise Webber a Homer senior who has begun a program for disaster alert registration of cell phones
- Chelsea Oberle-Lozano of Ninilchik with a project called “Facing your Feces,” an idea to provide poop-bags at trail heads
- Samantha Graves from Homer has a plan to save more otters with volunteers
- The team of Katelyn Moore and Drew Davis from Nikiski prepared emergency “To Go” bags for disaster preparedness
- Owen Myer also of Homer is starting a sleeping bag drive to collect no-longer used sleeping bags to be used in case of an emergency
High schools using CFK as part of classroom curriculum are Homer High School, Kenai Central High School, Nikiski Middle-High School, Ninilchik School, Seward High School, Soldotna Prep, and Voznesenka School. Each school receives $750 for their participation and the remainder of the $20,000 was allocated proportionately to how the students ranked in the CFK competition. Additionally, twenty plus students received special recognition awards from local businesses and individuals.
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, finalists, teachers and guests will attend the CFK V.I.P. Awards banquet hosted in their honor by Tesoro at the Challenger Learning Center in Kenai. This year’s April 21, 2016, oral presentation judges included Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, Cameron Hunt, Tesoro vice president Kenai Refinery, KPBSD Superintendent Sean Dusek, Ray Chumley, ConocoPhillips LNG plant superintendent, Marnie Olcott, CEO Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, Monica Adams PCHS chief executive officer, Amanda Millay, Environmental Program Technician Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and last year’s CFK 1st place winner Keira Stroh. Caring for the Kenai is administered as part of the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska educational programs.
Questions? Contact Merrill Sikorski, contest creator and coordinator, (907)-262-4949
Links:
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Posted in Awards Community Partners by .
Apr 16
19
BP celebrates five KPBSD teachers
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
BP celebrates five KPBSD teachers
Soldotna, April 19, 2016—Five KPBSD teachers learned they were recognized as a 2016 BP Teacher of Excellence when Superintendent Dusek made surprise visits to congratulate the teachers and share the news. Selected from more than fifty excellent nominations, BP and KPBSD celebrate Darilynn Caston, Redoubt Elementary School; Sharon Hopkins, Tustumena Elementary School; James Knoebel, Soldotna High School; Nickole Lyon, Seward Elementary School; and Patricia Truesdell, Hope School.
A celebration banquet will be held May 4, 2016, and the Kenai BP Teacher of the Year will be announced that evening.
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BP News Release: BP RECOGNIZES 32 TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE Outstanding Alaska teachers celebrated for excellence in education
ANCHORAGE (April 15, 2016) – BP will again honor a select group of teachers from across Alaska for their exceptional performance in the classroom, dedication to students and contribution to the state’s future.
Five Kenai Peninsula Borough School District teachers are among the 32 honorees. Now in its 21st year, the BP Teachers of Excellence program will recognize 32 Alaska teachers in 2016, with winners receiving $500 gift card and a $500 matching grant to their school. “At today’s oil prices, we look closely at every dollar we spend, and we believe that continuing to support our teachers in communities across Alaska remains a great investment in our state and in our future,” said BP Alaska Regional President Janet Weiss. “It’s another part of BP’s commitment to Alaska, and we’re honored to continue this great tradition.” The program honors K-12 teachers from all school districts, including public and private schools. Since the program’s inception in 1995, BP has recognized 680 teachers for their dedication to teaching and inspiring students. This year, the program attracted more than 1,000 nominations.
For the complete list of winners across the state visit: BPteachers.com.
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Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Contact: Pegge Erkeneff, 907.714.8888
News Release
Twelve students present their innovative ideas in live competition, for 25K in cash awards
Soldotna, April 18, 2016—How can we improve our environment or prepare for a natural disaster? Three hundred KPBSD students entered the annual Caring for the Kenai (CFK) competition and put their forth their best innovative ideas. The top twelve students take to the live stage Thursday, April 21, 2016, 6:00 p.m., in the Kenai Central High School Little Theater before a panel of community judges, and the opportunity to win cash prizes, and ultimately implement their idea. The public is invited.
Caring for the Kenai Live Competition
April 21, 2016, 6:00 PM
Kenai Central High School
9583 Kenai Spur Hwy
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Free, everyone is welcome
Now in its twenty-sixth year, the CFK community partnership offers cash awards to the best twelve proposals addressing the prompt,
“What can I do, invent, or create to better care for the environment on the Kenai Peninsula, or to improve the area’s preparedness for a natural disaster?”
More than 300 students from KPBSD schools including Homer High School, Kenai Central High School, Nikiski Middle-High School, Ninilchik School, Soldotna High School, Soldotna Prep, Seward High School, Voznesenka School, and Connections Homeschool submitted their entries online through the CFK website. “From simple but practical ideas to the use of hi-tech innovations this year’s proposals will challenge us all to do more for our environment and natural disaster preparedness. The oral presentations is an event not to be missed and is a tribute to our school district,” said program creator Merrill Sikorski.
“Caring for the Kenai is a great program that supports our efforts to have students apply their classroom learning in problem solving activities,” said Sean Dusek, superintendent. “This program is truly cross curricular and allows students to be creative and collaborate with their peers, teachers and the community. I appreciate the efforts of our teachers to integrate this program into their classes and am thankful that people like Merrill Sikorski have kept this opportunity alive for our students.”
The finalists will compete for over $8,000 in cash prizes for themselves, plus $20,000 in cash awards for their high school classrooms. Tesoro Alaska is the signature sponsor of CFK, administered by the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska. CFK Community Partners contributing cash for classroom awards include ASRC Energy Services, Hilcorp, Kenai River Raven Lodge, Peninsula Community Health Services, and Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center.
This year’s panel of judges includes Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Mike Navarre, KPBSD Superintendent of Schools Sean Dusek, Tesoro Plant Manager Cameron Hunt, Jade Gamble ADEC Spill Response, Challenger Learning Center CEO Marnie Olcott and last year’s CFK winner Keira Stroh. The public is encouraged to attend the CFK oral presentations to experience personally the great ideas coming forward from our youth. All judging prior to the oral presentations is done anonymously with the student’s name and school not being revealed until after the final oral presentations.
The competition will also be streamed live over the internet, and easily available by going to www.caringforthekenai.com and clicking on the home page banner.
Contact: Merrill Sikorski, Caring for the Kenai Coordinator, 907-262-4949
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This and all KPBSD media releases are online at this web page: http://bit.ly/MediaPublicRelationships
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
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Sixth through twelfth grade students at Nanwalek hosted a Science Fair for their community. The Nanwalek community showed tremendous support for students by helping them with their projects and coming to the science fair to listen to student presentations and learning about their topics. The Nanwalek gym was buzzing with excitement! A few of the highlights for students:
- “Talking to community members about things we were working on”
- “Researching and learning on our own”
- “I think the best part was being able to teach and present”
- “Being able to give our ideas to the community”
- “Interviewing community members about our topic”
- “Learning a lot about our village population and capacity”
- “I’m more comfortable presenting and conversing with people”
- “Learning from my classmates about local, helpful plant-life”
The science fair was definitely a hit. Students, staff, and community members are already looking forward to next year’s science fair!
Story contributed by Penny Bearden
Suggest or contribute a story online link: http://bit.ly/SuggestKPBSDstory
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Homer High student video is a top ten national contender in Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge Three Homer High School students triumphed over more than 1,500 entrants from across the country – the highest number of submissions ever received in the competition’s five year history – to be one of the top ten finalists in the annual Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge. The 56 second video, “Let’s Be Smart” topic is distracted driving, and it is up for a People’s Choice award based on online votes received by April 25.* Please vote online and share via social sites!
Liam Somers, Johann Kallelid, and Lyndsay Brown are finalists and have 1 in 10 chance to win up to $15,000 and participate in the video production of a PSA with Toyota and Discovery Education!
Plus, the People’s Choice winners also win $5,000. Encourage your school and community to support these creative and community minded students. Go to www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote by April 25, and share with #TeenDrive365 on Twitter.
www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote
Let’s Be Smart video in Homer, Alaska L-R: Liam Somers, Johann Kallelid, and Lyndsay Brown
“I’ve always loved to get my friends together and make movies for fun, so when I saw that there was a scholarship being offered for making a video about distracted teen drivers, I immediately rounded up some actors and began filming. I’ve also realized, during my few short years of driving, just how dangerous distracted driving can be, and I thought that by making this video we could hopefully help prevent future accidents due to distractions.” – Liam Somers, Homer High School student
“Liam is the brains behind this whole video. He created the whole script and the green screen, everything. I am really proud and honored to be a part of this, and the fact that we are now in the top ten finalists, is incredible. Liam worked really hard on this video and deserves to win it all!” – Lyndsay Brown, Homer High School student
“In the past, Liam, me and some other friends have made many videos. Liam called me and asked if I wanted to make another video with him and of course I said, yes. It’s so cool that we’re in the top ten finalists. It’s a great feeling.” – Johann Kallelid, Homer High School student
“This is another great example of how our students are applying their education to make a difference in the world using new media platforms. I’m very proud of them—now please give the Let’s Be Smart video an online vote by April 25.” – Sean Dusek, superintendent
*VOTE by April 25: Let’s Be Smart video by Lian S, Johann K., Lyndsay B., in Homer, Alaska
To view Liam, Johann, and Lyndsay’s video along with the other finalists and pick a favorite, visit www.TeenDrive365InSchool.com/vote, and use #TeenDrive365 on Twitter. The People’s Choice Winner will receive a $5,000 prize and a behind-the-scenes trip to a taping of a Velocity network show. In addition to the People’s Choice winner, a panel of judges from Toyota and Discovery Education will choose several other prize winners. The first place winner will receive $15,000 and will work with a Discovery film crew to reshoot their video into a TV-ready PSA to air on a variety of Discovery networks. Other prizes include:
- Second place prize – $10,000 and a behind-the-scenes trip to a Velocity network show taping
- Third place prize – $7,500
- Fourth to tenth place prizes – Each receives $2,500
- Four regional prizes – Each receives $1,000
“We launched the Toyota TeenDrive365 Video Challenge five years ago with Discovery Education because we wanted another way to engage young people in our commitment to make the roads safer for us all,” said Mike Goss, General Manager, Social Innovation, Toyota Motor North America. “It was tough to choose the 10 finalists this year and we were blown away by their creativity. Some of the videos were funny, others were profound, but all inspired us to think even more deeply about the importance of driving safely.” “We applaud this year’s finalists and their use of digital storytelling, creativity and passion to influence the behavior of their peers and ultimately help save lives,” said Bill Goodwyn, president and CEO at Discovery Education. “Discovery Education is proud to partner with Toyota on addressing this critical issue by empowering young people to make smart decisions behind the wheel through engaging digital resources and experiences.” To learn more about the resources offered through TeenDrive365: In School, go to http://www.teendrive365inschool.com/.
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Cam Wyatt, educator at Homer High School, receives top state award as 2016 Secondary SkillsUSA Advisor!
“This has been a bonus year for me,” said Cam Wyatt, Homer High School educator. “The 2016 Secondary SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year is a high honor and it will hang right beside the 2015 ACTE Promising Practice Award presented to me in November at the Alaska Statewide ACTE Conference. To be selected as the 2016 Secondary SkillsUSA Advisor of the Year by my peers, mentors and supervisors is a personal and professional honor. Twenty-six years of teaching has led me to develop an instructional style that focuses on “allow the eyes to see what the hands are doing and the mind is thinking.” This proactive constructivist style is a student centered growth mindset philosophy that values hands on learning. SkillsUSA is all about being able to demonstrate skill sets that lend themselves to be “Prepared-Polite-Productive”. Roll it all together and you have an educational environment that is exciting, full of discovery learning, and promotes personal investment by all. As many know, I’m retiring from the classroom this year and will become Principal of Mesa County School District 51 Career Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. It has been a lifelong dream to lead a school of this type and now I get my chance. My two decades of service in KPBSD have served me well. I will take this award and others with me as I continue to make a difference in the lives of young people.”
Cam Wyatt, Homer High School educator, with KPBSD students at Alaska State SkillsUSA conference
“Mr. Wyatt is one of the best teachers we have in our district and I am in so proud of his efforts with our students,” said Superintendent Sean Dusek. “This is a well-deserved award and I am very exciting recognition that he has earned. While I am sad to see him retire from our district, I am happy for him and the next steps in his career that will allow him to be closer to family.”
“Cam is an ambassador and a tremendous asset for the students and the programs of SkillsUSA and the learning community of Homer,” said Matt Widaman, Work Experience & Work Force Coordinator It is exciting to see the powerful impact that Cam has had on the students of Homer High and surrounding Russian village schools, helping them gain the skills and the confidence to tackle and succeed with some very technically challenging projects. Cam’s students are well prepared and compete in a wide variety of different competitions. He provides a culture of leadership and high expectations for his students and the SkillsUSA programs at Homer High School.”
Links
- KPBSD Career and Technical Education on Facebook
- SkillsUSA: http://www.skillsusa.org/
- AlaskaSkillsUSA http://www.alaskaskillsusa.org/
Cam Wyatt, 2016 Alaska State Secondary SkillsUSA Advisor award recipient
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Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) add value to the overall development of our Career and Technical Education (CTE). KPBSD students from CTE classes have the opportunity to be involved in the SkillsUSA CTSO organization. This organization, or club, allows students to compete against other students in competitions that involve the use of the skills taught and developed in KPBSD CTE classes. An example of this is the welding competition. Students that are currently enrolled in (or have already taken) a welding class compete against other students across the state in a competency test involving welding. In this particular event students take a structural welding test similar to what a welder would have to do in order to prove his or her competency for a construction company.
Judges, usually from industry, evaluate the welds by visual and bend tests, just like in the real world, and a winner is chosen. Students also compete in leadership competitions. These competitions include: Job Interview, Prepared Speech, Extemporaneous Speech and Quiz Bowl. OurSkillsUSA students that participate in the district, state, and national events get to experience what it’s like to compete in a competitive job market, which is very similar to what they will be experiencing when they compete in the world of work.
Cam Wyatt said, “SkillsUSA is the best keep secret in Alaska. Our kids love it and it is a pure “performance based assessment” that incorporates soft and hard skill sets.”
Alaska State SkillsUSA State conference
March 31 – April 2, 2016
Action Skills
2nd place – Maguire Merriman, Soldotna High School
Carpentry
1st place – Gregory Smith, Homer High School
Crime Scene Investigation
3rd place – Afton Carlson, Soldotna High School
3rd place – Derek Lewis, Soldotna High School
Culinary Arts
3rd place – Brianna Bushnell, Kenai Central High School
Early Childhood Education
1st place – Margaret McGlothen, Soldotna High School
2nd place – Savannah Kreider, Soldotna High School
3rd place – Hannah O’Dell, Soldotna High School
Employment Application Process
1st place – Maguire Merriman, Soldotna High School
Extemporaneous Speaking
1st place – Nolan Bunting, Homer High School
2nd place – Margaret McGlothen, Soldotna High School
Job Interview
1st place – Mara Youngren-Brown, Kenai Central High School
Photography
2nd place – Nolan Bunting, Homer High School
Prepared Speech
1st place – Michael Lewis, Soldotna High School
2nd place – Nolan Bunting, Homer High School
3rd place – Afton Carlson, Soldotna High School
Quiz Bowl, 1st place team
Afton Carlson, Soldotna High School
Ashley Jones, Soldotna High School
Derek Lewis, Soldotna High School
Michael Lewis, Soldotna High School
Maguire Merriman, Soldotna High School
Restaurant Service
1st place – Andrew Agosti, Kenai Central High School
2nd place – Ashley Jones, Soldotna High School
3rd place – Mara Youngren-Brown, Kenai Central High School
Technical Drafting
2nd place – Liam Floyd, Kenai Central High School
Welding
1st place – Hayden Chase, Homer High School
Professional Development Program, Students who Scored 75% or higher
- Soldotna High School, Hannah O’Dell
- Soldotna High School, Savannah Kreider
- Kenai Central High School, Alexis Koroll
- Soldotna High School, Afton Carlson
- Soldotna High School, Ashley Jones
- Kenai Central High School, Andrew Agosti
- Homer High School, Nolan Bunting
2016-2017 SkillsUSA State Officers
- Derek Lewis – Soldotna High School, Historian
Golden Apple recipient Coach David Thomas, and KMS MathCounts team
Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | April 4, 2016
Mr. David Thomas, Community Member
“In 2012, David Thomas, a parent of a Kenai Middle School student, approached administration and suggested that we add a MathCounts team to our school,” explained Vaughn Dosko, principal. “Not only did he suggest adding the team to our afterschool program but offered to head it up. From that day forward our program has grown in size and KMS students have been very successful in the state and national competitions. MathCounts began with a handful of kids and now we have a classroom full of kids and also fifth grade students from Mountain View Elementary arriving at KMS for math enrichment. The program meets weekly afterschool and sometimes more often when they are getting ready for a competition. Mr. Thomas has also met with kids during the summer months at the Kenai Public Library.”
Through countless hours of educating students to think differently about math, the Kenai Middle School MathCounts team has been very successful. Students who have a talent and passion for math are challenged, and meet other motivated students. Finishing first place in state competitions, the KMS team and individual competitors have also scored with numerous second place finishes. Accolades can be seen in the front display case at Kenai Middle School.
Coach David Thomas has dedicated his time to taking kids to levels of math that they would not have gotten to on their own. He has driven the KMS team all over the state to compete, including at competitions from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Additionally, he has taken students to national MathCounts competitions outside of Alaska.
KMS is a better place for the time and dedication that Mr. Thomas has invested in math students at Kenai Middle School.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Mr. David Thomas for his dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Mr. David Thomas was nominated by Principal Vaughn Dosko, on behalf of Kenai Middle School.
Coach David Thomas quizzing KMS students to demonstrate their math skills at April 2016 school board meeting #golden
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Golden Apple for Magpye’s Pizzeria, in Sterling, Alaska
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | April 4, 2016
Magpye’s Pizzeria, Business
In the Sterling community, there are many businesses that are strong supporters of Sterling Elementary School. For more than a decade Magpye’s Pizzeria has been supporting Sterling Elementary. A multi-generation, family-owned business, “Margaret “Maggie” Lupton and Jeffrey Clonts of Magpye’s Pizzeria offer constant, unquestioning generosity to our school,” said Principal Denise Kelly.
Many years ago, Sterling Elementary School established a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) system which continued to cultivate and focus on the students who demonstrate school wide expectations of being respectful, responsible, and safe. Sterling Elementary celebrates students’ prosocial school behaviors with pompoms. Last year, Sterling Elementary started giving students a golden pompom for going above and beyond the school’s expectations, or showing an extraordinary random act of kindness. Students who earn the golden pompom have the opportunity to win a pizza party, and Magpye’s Pizzeria has been donating pizzas for golden pompom parties all year. Principal Kelly said, “There is never a question of why, rather questions of how many, and when do you need them? Magpye’s has donated pizzas to our Students of the Month prior to the golden pompom celebrations. Additionally, at the end of every school year, Magpye’s Pizzeria donates a free personal pizza to every student at Sterling Elementary to enjoy a meal with their family.”
Not only does Magpye’s Pizzeria provide for all 230 Sterling Elementary students, every so often, during lunch, a student will have a Magpye’s personal pizza box. When asked about it, students excitedly say, “It’s from Magpye’s!” James Graybeal says, “It makes me feel good when Mr. Jeffrey brings me a pizza. He’s my friend!” Mariah Carrasco received a pizza for her birthday and she said, “I like that they remembered me!” In talking with Ms. Lupton and Mr. Clonts about it, they will often say that they needed to do it for the kids. Even when no one asks, they just give!
Magpye’s Pizzeria has been in the Sterling community for many years. Sterling Elementary School is grateful for the support that Magpye’s Pizzeria shows to the school, and the love and dedication they show to the children of the Sterling community.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Magpye’s Pizzeria for dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Magpye’s Pizzeria was nominated by Principal Denise Kelly, on behalf of Sterling Elementary School
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Golden Apple recipient, Ms. Amy Hankins
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Golden Apple Award | April 4, 2016
Ms. Amy Hankins, Community Member
Ms. Amy Hankins consistently demonstrates deep support for the students of Seward schools. She has served on the Seward School Site Based Council and is currently serving as the Arts Chair on the board of the Seward Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA). In addition to serving on the PTA board, Amy generously offers her time and talents as the chair of the PTA’s Arts committee. This committee is charged with making the arts available to Seward area students. Last year, Amy spearheaded an 18 month effort to bring Jabali, an African dance troop, from Mombasa, Kenya, to Seward. She coordinated all aspects for this production, including fundraising, PR, ticket printing and sales, transportation and lodging, so that this cultural extravaganza could be enjoyed by the community of Seward and all three Seward schools, along with students from Connections Homeschool and Moose Pass School. This year she spearheaded Scrap Arts music to come to Seward in April 2016.
Amy also has a passion for technology. In 2013, Amy joined with two other staff members to lead a community-based computer programing club for youth aged nine to 18. The Seward Community Library and Museum generously hosts club meetings and activities. Amy’s work with this group eventually evolved into her work with Lego Robotics in the schools. Amy works with two Lego Robotics groups in Seward: one meets after-school and one meets during school.
The after-school Lego Robotics team, comprised of Seward Elementary and Seward Middle School students, and a homeschool student, met last year to learn to build and program Lego vehicles to perform specific tasks. Co-coach Leigh Ray said, “Amy leads the club by exuding enthusiasm for coding and robotics, which helps the kids get unstuck when the programming gets tough! She is becoming a very accomplished robotics programmer herself!” In 2015, the team competed in the first Lego League regional competition in Anchorage. They were then invited to return and compete in the state championship. At the end of the regional competition in Anchorage, Amy received the Coach Award for her excellence in coaching.
At Seward Elementary, Amy introduced Lego Robotics during the 2013-2014 school year. She worked with approximately 55 second grade students, teaching building and programing skills. This year, she has continued the program with the same students, who are now in third grade, as well as teaching it to all of the current second graders. Students enjoy the challenge of building and coding. Second grader Van Shank says, “It was fun programing the computers. Mrs. Hankins did a really good job.” In addition, Amy began training a teacher to continue the program as the current third graders move up a grade. “We value the way Amy looks for opportunities to enhance the education of all students in Seward through her ongoing dedication to the arts and technology,” said Principal David Kingsland.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education is proud to recognize Ms. Amy Hankins for her dedication to the students of the school district, past, present, and future.
Ms. Rankin was nominated by Principal David Kingland, on behalf of Seward Elementary School.
Ms. Amy Hankins and Board Member Lynn Hohl
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