Two Ottoson teachers whose enthusiasms for engineering capture the imaginations of middle-school students will be recognized in October by their statewide professional organization.
The school’s technology program, led by Brandy Whitney and Gary Blanchette (at left), has been voted the 2014 program of the year by MassTEC.
“I can honestly say that I am humbled to receive this award, as is Brandy!” Blanchette wrote Friday, Sept. 19. “I love kids, and it has been a dream to do what I love for the past 26 years, which is to teach children how to be thinkers and problem solvers, all while using a project based, hands-on approach to learn math, science, history, writing skills etc.
Whitney commented: “Teaching engineering, especially in a supportive district like Arlington, is an amazing opportunity to inspire and nurture the great thinkers and innovators of tomorrow. I feel fortunate to have been an educator for the past nine years and look forward to many more years of guiding my student’s inquiries into the world of engineering. This award showcases the dedication of not only the teachers in this program but the hard work and persistence of its students as well.”
The honors were announced by Superintendent Kathleen Bodie at the Sept. 18 School Committee meeting.
Student work showcased
Many in the crowd attending the Technology Showcase last May would not be surprised. Some of the projects on display were put together by students of Blanchette and Whitney. Blanchette said that evening that students were involved in “full-blown engineering.”
Whitney’s students demonstrated robots, which were successfully tested after the showcase, and were the subject of a separate YourArlington feature story in July (slide show below).The robots still must be tested at Spy Pond, likely this fall.
MassTEC, which stands for Massachusetts Technology/Engineering Collaborative, made its decision based on the following the primary information sought in the application process: department information, department mission statement, syllabus by grade level, curriculum maps, the state standards addressed at each grade, course description/program of studies, samples of student work, assessments and grading rubrics, school and community support, involvement with other departments, involvement in outside groups that relate to our program, involvement in after-school programs, biographical information and letters of recommendation.
This list hardly conveys the teachers’ excitement about their subject — and its honors.
‘Great news’
“This is great news for the students, parents and administrators in Arlington,” Blanchette wrote. “Since I have come to Arlington six years ago, I have received nothing but the utmost support and respect from all stakeholders.
“When Brandy joined the OMS staff last year, she brought a wealth of 21st-century instructional technology knowledge that is continually being applied to the curriculum I have created over the past 26 years. This is providing our students with an unprecedented opportunity to learn in innovative ways ….
“This award validates all the hard work that the students and I have done to become more in-depth, lifelong learners.”
The award, detailed on the teachers’ engineering site, at www.ottosonmiddleschoolteched.weebly.com, explains technology engineering further:
“Students in grades six through eight pursue engineering questions and technological solutions that emphasize research and problem solving. They identify and understand the five elements of a technology system (goal, inputs, processes, outputs and feedback).
“They acquire basic safety skills in the use of hand tools, power tools and machines. They explore engineering design; materials, tools and machines; and communication, manufacturing, construction and transportation technologies ….
“The culmination of the engineering design experience is the development and delivery of an engineering presentation and a summary/evaluation showing the understanding of the science.”
This story was published Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014.
