June 2014
Finalists Announced for Innovation in Education Awards Honoring Schools, Educators and Students in Orange County
Annual Awards Recognize New Approaches to Preparing Students for 21st Century Lives and Careers
Irvine, Calif. – Ten finalists were announced today for the 2014 Innovation in Education Awards presented by Project Tomorrow and the OC Tech Alliance to schools, educators and high school students who are charting new paths in education
Project Tomorrow, the nation’s leading nonprofit group focused on science, math and technology education, and the OC Tech Alliance have been recognizing outstanding education programs, educators and students for their innovative uses of science, math and technology with this award since 2006.
Finalists for this year’s awards are:
- Innovative Schoolwide Program of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – distinguishing a public, private, or parochial school that demonstrates innovation with an outstanding, results-based schoolwide program
- Jose Sepulveda Elementary School, Santa Ana Unified School District
Program: Science and Health Focus
- Journey School, Capistrano Unified School District
Program: The Digital Media Literacy Project
- El Dorado High School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
Program: Digital Media Arts Academy
- High Impact Teacher of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – acknowledging the influence of a great teacher in his/her use of science, math or technology to significantly impact student academic achievement
- Ed Hernandez, Tustin High School, 9-12 Engineering/Math Teacher
- Kevin Crossett, Huntington Beach High School, 9-12 AP Computer Science/CAD Engineering Teacher
- Glen Warren, McPherson Magnet School, Technology Teacher Librarian
- Emerging Student Innovator of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – recognizing eighth grade, freshman, sophomore, or junior high school students who are creatively using science, math and technology resources to solve a school or community problem
- Samantha Langit, Aliso Niguel High School, 9th Grade (rising sophomore)
- Helen Kim, Brea Olinda High School, 10th Grade (rising junior)
- Siblings Aamna and Haleema Abbasi, Beckman High School, 11th Grade (rising seniors)
The 2014 Innovation in Education Award recipients will be announced at the 21st Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 9th, 2014 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The annual education focused segment, is a partnership between Project Tomorrow and corporate sponsors, Emulex Corporation and Microsemi Corporation.
More about the Awards, including past recipients, can be found online: http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html
Nominations for the 2014 Project Tomorrow Innovation in Education Awards could be self- submitted or submitted by a district and/or school staff person. Organizations such as a PTA unit, parent advisory committee, or any youth based organization(s) were also eligible to nominate. An independent review panel of local education and business leaders will select the award recipients. The annual Innovation in Education Awards are open to all public and private schools in Orange County.
About Project Tomorrow
Project Tomorrow (www.tomorrow.org), a national education nonprofit organization headquartered in Irvine, California, supports the innovative uses of research-based science, math and technology resources to develop critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in K-12 students. Project Tomorrow addresses the challenges of developing schools for the 21st century through national research projects, community and school-based programs, online tools and resources, and advocacy efforts to ensure that all students are prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world.
About Orange County Technology Alliance
Orange County Technology Alliance is a 501(c)6 nonprofit trade association committed to fast-forwarding the local innovation economy. It is the successor organization to the Orange County Council of TechAmerica and AeA. It is the only technology association addressing the needs of small-to-midsize technology companies and their leaders based in Orange County, Calif. The alliance serves members through local networking, professional development, state and federal advocacy, savings on business services and industry recognition. To learn more about membership, contact OC Tech Alliance at octech@octechalliance.com or www.octechalliance.com. Follow alliance activities on Twitter at www.twitter.com/octechalliance.
