Congratulations to Mark Gullicksen, Oak Grove Elementary School, in Albany. He got some “good STEM news” which he thinks

“is a direct benefit from my involvement with OCSTA’s professional development opportunities that I have participated with as an educator. This Monday, I was humbled to learn that I was selected as one of 20 teachers, nation-wide, to receive a 2016 Henry Ford Innovation Nation, National Innovative Educator Award; there were approximately five elementary school teachers among the 20 educators receiving awards. Again, I give a great deal of the credit for my selection to my involvement with the OCSTA – and to my past involvement with SOA/TechStart. The many professional development opportunities that OCSTA has provided for teachers such as myself has enabled me to offer so many dynamic and enriched learning opportunities for my elementary students.” [boldface mine]

Mark also has had a good year getting grant funding, and is one of three schools in Oregon (the other two are high schools) who got a 3-D printer from New Matter.

Mark: “a big part of this success I believe has been due to what I have gleaned from experiences with OCSTA. I was fortunate to also receive a grant from New Matter for three 3-D printers, as well as funds for a rocketry program from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Again, I believe my receiving each of these grants was due in part to what I was able to share about my OCSTA experiences on my applications.” [boldface mine]

Mark has used LEGO robotics in class, in gardens, with girls, and with FIRST(tm) LEGO League teams competing on the Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program (ORTOP) FIRST tournament circuit.

Those OCSTA experiences he cites? They start with SuperQuest. Register now.

Thanks for staying in touch, and for the work you do, Mark! Congratulations again!

Respectfully submitted,
Jo Oshiro,
jo@oregoncsta.org

PS: “SOA/Techstart” refer to the Software Association of Oregon and the Techstart Education Foundation that it spun out, which in the past have partnered with OCSTA to bring SuperQuest to Oregon’s educators.

Update: featured image