FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT:
Teri-Gene Conlin, Outreach Manager
(315) 782-3142 ext. 315
tgconlin@wpbstv.org
Aprin 23, 2013
WPBS-DT, Watertown Public Broadcasting, is pleased to announce Bryan Zevotek, Carthage Middle School Science teacher, has been awarded the 2012 Teacher Innovator Award, 1st place winner for Science/Grades 6-8. This national award is sponsored by PBS Learning Media, a partnership of PBS and WGBH Educational Foundation, which is a free media-on-demand service available to educators nationwide and The Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan. The Henry Ford is the world's premier history destination and a National Historic Landmark that celebrates American history and innovation
Bryan's award winning project is based the 7th grade year at Carthage when students study body systems and their cooperative nature. To introduce the unit, he implemented a project based on the news stories highlighting bionic limbs. The centerpiece of the project was a web based approach to information and research. Students would use his personal website, search engines and YouTube to find information and ideas to guide their plan to build a “bionic” hand. The hand had to “pick”, “grip” and “roshambo” (or play rock/paper/scissors).
Judges, who were previous year's winners, selected winners from five grade level categories (PreK, K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) and across five subject areas (arts, math, reading, science and social studies). Winners were chosen based on submissions of videos or written essays with supporting images that addressed how they are using digital media to bring lessons to life in classrooms. In recognition of their efforts, first place winners will receive a unique weeklong "Innovation Immersion Experience" at The Henry Ford from July 27 to August 2, 2013, a free online professional development course from PBS TeacherLine, an award plaque and a gift bag from PBS and The Henry Ford
"Across the nation, educators at every level of school are embracing digital media more than ever to engage students in the arts, math, reading, science and social studies to inspire higher achievement and better performance," said Rob Lippincott, Senior Vice President, Education Strategy and Partnerships, PBS. "PBS, our member stations and forward-thinking partners at The Henry Ford are proud to recognize thirty outstanding educators for their innovative approaches to advancing learning in classrooms nationwide."
"WPBS-DT is proud to support our local educators and congratulates Bryan on being chosen for this award," said Teri-Gene Conlin, Outreach Manager at WPBS. "Working with our area schools and bringing education to the community is a primary focus of our station. We will continue to reach out to our educators to increase awareness of our programs available to them for the classroom."
There will be an award ceremony for Bryan Zevotek on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 4:30pm at WPBS-DT, 1056 Arsenal Street, Watertown.
WPBS-DT is a non-profit public television station serving approximately 650,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario. WPBS-DT's mission is to educate, entertain and inform in order to enhance the lives of those it serves.
