Bechtel Parsons awards $10,000 in teacher grants

By Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer

November 30, 2007 10:54 pm

— Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass recently awarded $10,000 in grants to 20 science and mathematics teachers in Madison County.
It was the fourth time the contractor which will build the plant to neutralize chemical weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot had handed out 20 $500 grants through its Teacher Innovation Program since it began in 2004.
“As an engineering and construction firm, we realize the importance of math and science skills in today’s world,” said John Schlatter, public communications manager at Bechtel Parsons. “Our goal is to promote creative thinking by educators and increase student interest in math, science and technology.”
“Some of our employees have visited classrooms, and they came away very impressed by the innovative ideas teachers have developed,” he said.
Dana Freeman, a third-grade teacher at Kit Carson Elementary, will be using the money from her grant to fund a hands-on “Investigating Math Concepts” project.
“I am so excited to be one of the recipients chosen for this grant,” she said. “My class will be involved in many math investigations, leading to the understanding of the how and why math works.”
“Students will better understand the basic concepts of math first before learning traditional algorithms, steps and formulas,” Freeman said. “Without this grant, it would not have been possible for me to provide my students with so many different opportunities for meeting their individual levels of math concepts, as well as their different learning styles.”
Other recipients of the Teach Innovation Grants include:
• Frank Brown, Kentucky Tech, “Math in Career and Technical Education.”
• Michael Sandlin, Kentucky Tech, “Programmable Logic Controllers.”
• Jill VanDyke, Daniel Boone Elementary, “You Can Count in Me.”
• Kelly Livers, Daniel Boone Elementary, “New Ways of Learning Math.”
• Jessica Dowell, Daniel Boone Elementary, “Time for Math Fun.”
• Wanda Meaux, Mayfield Elementary, “Differentiating Math Instruction.”
• Angela Headley, Kirksville Elementary, “Bluejays Go Green.”
• Cathy Fugitt, Glenn Marshall Elementary, “Hands-On Math.”
• Anna Fowler, Glenn Marshall Elementary, “Assistive Technology.”
• Karrie Johns, Madison Middle, “Explore Learning.”
• Ginnifer Saylor-Watts, Foley Middle, “Flight Sim.”
• Katy Cress, Madison Southern High School, “Transformations and Prediction Equations.”
• Mary Susan Mardon, Madison Southern High School, “Data Collection.”
• Sue Clark, Madison Southern High School, “K-nex-ing to the Real World.”
• Jennifer Long, Madison Southern High School, “Using Umbrellas as Parabolic Curves.”
• Peggy Tudor, Madison Central High School, “Problem-Solving Representations.”
• Tammy Hooper, Madison Central High School, “Hovercraft Physics Project.”
• Steve Johnson, Madison Central High School, “Lift-Off to Learning.”
• Angie Barnes, Madison Central High School, “GPS in the Classroom.”
Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.