Photos of students and teachers

2008 Innovation in Education Award Finalist

Colette Wright

Award: Innovative School Program
Lake View Elementary School (NASA Explorer School)
Ocean View School District

“As a principal, it is my vision that we prepare students for the 21st century by developing critical thinkers and problem solvers.”  Colette Wright, principal

Program Description

Colette Wright believes that today’s students will need to be globally aware so they can function both socially and economically in tomorrow’s world. Within the context of rigorous academic standards and through the use of real world tools, it is the vision of the staff at Lake View Elementary to inspire today’s students to be the civic and commercial leaders of tomorrow.

Lake View Elementary partners with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in their implementation of a NASA Explorer School. As a part of this effort, they have implemented a science/math/technology program that addresses the California content standards, and provides excellence in education for all students.

As a part of the program, students engineer and program robots each year to compete against other California schools at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. During Rocket Night, students build, launch, and evaluate data on rocket flights. Through videoconferencing, students conduct conversations with scientists and researchers around the globe.

As a result of the NASA Explorer program, Ms. Wright has seen tangible results in student interest and involvement in math and science classes. Students are self motivated to engage in activities that require scientific thinking, and parents report their children have developed strong work ethic in addition to better grades.

What is the role of K-12 education in driving Orange County’s economic competitiveness?

The education community is responsible for inspiring the next generation of Orange County citizens. Education must prepare Orange County’s future political and financial leaders by providing programs that develop technological literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication skills and an ability to produce relevant, high-quality products.

How can business and community members support your efforts?

check mark Arrange a student field trip at your workplace.
  Arrange a teacher field trip at your workplace.
check mark Help underwrite our science, math, or technology programs.
check mark Participate in a virtual career panel at our school.
  Provide college scholarships to our students
  Provide guest speakers at our school.
  Provide internships to our students.
check mark Provide scholarships for teachers to attend STEM-related conferences.
check mark Provide summer job opportunities to our teaching staff to help them understand workplace requirements.
check mark Sponsor a robotics team at our school.
check mark Volunteer as a STEM mentor to our students.
check mark Volunteer as a STEM mentor to our teachers.
check mark Volunteer to help with our Science Fair or Science Olympiad.
check mark Work with our teachers to integrate "real-world" skills into their classroom curriculum.
check mark Other: Underwrite and/or volunteer our rocketry/robotics.

 

© 2007 Project Tomorrow