|
|
|
Sandy Cavanaugh helps Mike Harrison and Mike Llig program a Tankbot.
|
In 1999, Sandy Cavanaugh was with her college-bound son Matthew as he toured the technology education program at California University of Pennsylvania.
As mom and son were led around the school, something unexpected happened - Sandy was captivated by the program, particularly the displays of robotics and automation.
By the end of the day, she was more interested in the program than Matthew.
“I fell in love with what I was seeing,” she says. “I felt that this was something that I needed to do.”
Soon after, Sandy, who was working at a print shop at the time, was a college freshman (Matthew ended up pursuing environmental science). Earlier this year, now working as a technology education teacher for the Canon-McMillan School District, she was honored as one of the most innovative teachers in the country.
Sandy was one of two teachers chosen from Pennsylvania to receive the ING Unsung Hero Award, which includes a $2,000 prize.
The award recognizes kindergarten through 12th grade educators nationwide for their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and ability to make a positive influence on the children they teach.
Sandy was honored for her program, “Robotics Alive,” that promotes learning, curiosity, excitement and growth by integrating cross-curricular skills. Students participating in the program use logic, creativity and problem-solving skills to implement in today’s technologies.
A large part of her classes at Cecil and North Strabane Intermediate Schools, where she divides her time, centers on the Lego Tankbot, a small vehicle with tank-like tracks. Students learn to write programs for the Tankbot that will make it perform certain tasks, like navigating a maze.
During this process, the children learn math, science and engineering concepts. Robotics allows the students to “do” math instead of studying it.
“This is a field all students should be a part of because we teach critical thinking,” Sandy says. “I don’t just teach a skill, but also the problem solving that goes into that. We try to reach students in every way.”
The long-term goal is that each sixth-grader will be able to participate in a robotics course, which is now a part of the regular curriculum.
“I love their excitement and enthusiasm,” she says, admitting that she’s a little spoiled by the immediate interest kids seem to give robots, as opposed to, say, 18th century history. “They rarely stop, and you don’t see them with their heads down. It’s contagious. Kids who have problems in other subjects don’t seem to have them here.”
Sandy’s program at the two intermediate schools won this year’s Elementary School Program of Excellence Award from the Technology Education Association of Pennsylvania and the International Technology Education Association (ITEA). She received the award
at the annual ITEA conference in Baltimore. Sandy attended the conference with her technology education department chair, Jon McCrory. •
