ING Unsung Heroes® 2012 Award Winners

Clark’s innovative winning program, “Stretching Our Class Tentacles around the World,” is designed to expand Tuscaloosa County High’s existing marine biology program. In the current program, students utilize a salt water touch tank to monitor and survey tidal organisms. Students record their observations on a daily basis and videos are uploaded monthly highlighting the latest tank developments.

Heitzman’s winning program, “Outdoor Education,” is designed to help students who are at risk of not finishing high school. The program offers best practice alternative learning modules. The outdoor environment is a natural place to implement smaller class sizes, counseling, social skills training, and hands-on learning opportunities. Studies have shown that outdoor education programs result in greater motivation and engagement for ‘at-risk’ learners. By engaging the ‘at-risk’ student population, the hope is that there will be a corresponding increase in graduation rates.

“Let the Sunshine Power Our Carts,” the winning program from Adams and English will enable more than 100 students to participate in building and installing a solar recharging power station for the electrical golf carts at Ironwood High School and a nearby elementary school. As an added benefit, the station will also be used to charge all of the needed portable tools. Industrial technology students, with the guidance of a local licensed contractor and the supervision of the teachers, will design, build and maintain the station.

Grigsby’s winning program, “Space Science & Engineering (Robotics),” is built around the fundamental understanding of the systems that make up robots and the development of workplace competencies. Grigsby’s program is part of a larger project that is designed to provide all students with opportunities for enhanced learning experiences, preparation for future career decisions, and a realistic view of the world of work. Through the program, students are gaining real-world experience by conducting data analysis using real scientific data from NASA spacecraft.

Gallo Reinhard’s winning project, “I Burratini: The Strings of Language, Culture and Tradition,” aims to bring language to life for students at Bristol Central High. According to Gallo Reinhard, a gifted Italian and Spanish teacher, strings are used to attach, connect and intertwine. That is why her project uses the strings of puppets to interlace competency with culture, traditions and oral proficiency.

“Window to the World of Science/Birdwatch and Outdoor Classroom” is Gossett’s winning program. It will give students a chance to observe wildlife in a natural setting and aid in the conservation of native bird species. According to Gossett, watching and caring for birds and plants develops an understanding and need to protect and restore the natural world. It will provide a sanctuary and feeding station for birds on the school grounds for students to achieve hands-on experience in observations, inquiry-based investigations and data collection.

Clay and her colleagues’ winning program, “The B.L.A.S.T. Lab: Bringing Life and Sciences Together,” is an interactive lab, where students can participate in hands-on experiences and explore visual representations. It will be dedicated to science study and storing reusable and consumable lab materials. The lab will be stocked with a variety of materials and literature that will enhance the students’ science learning experience. The lab will also feature a computer station for research and the creation of a class newsletter and wiki.

Bartels’ innovative new program, “Summer Fun Made from Plastic,” aims to educate fifth- and sixth-grade students at the Woodbine Community School about density, mass and movement using technology and recycled materials. Students will work in groups of three to design and construct boats out of recycled materials. They will have to use critical thinking skills and a trial and error approach to construct a boat that can hold at least three passengers.

When George developed her winning program, “Wonder Women and Real Men,” she wanted to inspire young boys to read more and young girls to gain more of an interest in math and science. Research indicates that girls in middle school often lose interest in math and science. At the same time, boys tend to stop reading recreationally. She started by inviting professional men from the community into her classroom to share their reading with her students. She also invited professional women working in the fields of math and science to come in and share their experiences with her students.

Stovall’s winning project, “Sensory Room for Elementary Students,” is designed to provide students with special needs a designated place to work on fine and gross motor skills, as well as activities that stimulate creativity, develop coordination, and self-awareness and help students refocus for classroom time. Trained staff will work with students in the “Sensory Room” to guide them as they use equipment, play games and engage in the activities that will help them build problem-solving skills.