Post by title1parent on Sept 18, 2009 5:38:30 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=322288&src=76
IMSA captures 'Star Innovator' award
Bob Smith | Daily Herald 9/18/09
For Max McGee, it was a little like a night at the Oscars.
There he was, sitting Tuesday in a Washington, D.C., ballroom with some of the country's top educators - including officials from five schools competing with his for the highly prestigious Intel Star Innovator Award - and trying to keep his emotions in check.
The president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora was watching video clips the Intel Foundation had put together about the finalists, which had advanced in the competition after receiving the corporation's 2009 Schools of Distinction awards in May.
He was listening to presentations about the educational innovations at the schools and thinking each sounded more impressive than the last.
"It was just like the Academy Awards," he said Thursday. "They said, 'And the winner is ...' and my jaw hit the floor."
Intel - the world's largest manufacturer of microprocessors - selected IMSA from among an original pool of 700 applicants to receive its award that brings with it $277,500 in cash and prizes and national acclaim among educators.
The honor is presented annually to a school that has a "comprehensive program incorporating innovative and effective use of technology, engaging parents and the community in students' education, fostering professional development and teamwork, and delivering consistent achievement of high academic standards."
The program is part of Intel's $100 million-a-year initiative to improve use of technology in schools and encourage excellence in math, science and engineering.
Intel spokesman Bill MacKenzie said IMSA stood out for the "strength of its science program overall and the way they were engaging students and teachers in the science process."
All of which is music to the ears of the folks at IMSA, a residential college preparatory school with an enrollment of 650 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the state.
Truth be told, McGee really wasn't thinking about any of that when he was called up on stage to accept the award.
"I'm never at a loss for words," he said, "but I was then."
On Thursday, though, McGee had recovered enough to say a key factor in IMSA's selection was its outreach programs to support teachers and students throughout the state who want access to inquiry-based education.
In the past year alone, he said, IMSA has offered such programs for roughly 2,000 students and 400 teachers.
He said the recognition from Intel is an indication IMSA is meeting its mission to be "the world's leading teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry."
None of that would be possible, of course, without a top-notch student body and teachers.
"Our faculty members really help kids generate and create knowledge," he said.
McGee had been scheduled to meet Tuesday with U.S. Rep Bill Foster in Washington, but was a little late because of the award ceremony.
Foster, who has seen IMSA's work firsthand as both an Illinois congressman and the father of a graduate, didn't seem to mind.
"This award is a testament to IMSA's status as one of our nation's premier institutions of math and science education," he said in a written statement released Thursday.
McGee said IMSA plans to celebrate its award in October by bringing together many of its supporters, including legislators, business people and educators.
In the meantime, he can be excused if he's still feeling a bit like Denzel Washington or Tom Hanks walking off with their golden statues.
"I am just elated," he said. "I've been in education since 1972 and this is in the top three events of my professional life. This is remarkable."
IMSA captures 'Star Innovator' award
Bob Smith | Daily Herald 9/18/09
For Max McGee, it was a little like a night at the Oscars.
There he was, sitting Tuesday in a Washington, D.C., ballroom with some of the country's top educators - including officials from five schools competing with his for the highly prestigious Intel Star Innovator Award - and trying to keep his emotions in check.
The president of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora was watching video clips the Intel Foundation had put together about the finalists, which had advanced in the competition after receiving the corporation's 2009 Schools of Distinction awards in May.
He was listening to presentations about the educational innovations at the schools and thinking each sounded more impressive than the last.
"It was just like the Academy Awards," he said Thursday. "They said, 'And the winner is ...' and my jaw hit the floor."
Intel - the world's largest manufacturer of microprocessors - selected IMSA from among an original pool of 700 applicants to receive its award that brings with it $277,500 in cash and prizes and national acclaim among educators.
The honor is presented annually to a school that has a "comprehensive program incorporating innovative and effective use of technology, engaging parents and the community in students' education, fostering professional development and teamwork, and delivering consistent achievement of high academic standards."
The program is part of Intel's $100 million-a-year initiative to improve use of technology in schools and encourage excellence in math, science and engineering.
Intel spokesman Bill MacKenzie said IMSA stood out for the "strength of its science program overall and the way they were engaging students and teachers in the science process."
All of which is music to the ears of the folks at IMSA, a residential college preparatory school with an enrollment of 650 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from across the state.
Truth be told, McGee really wasn't thinking about any of that when he was called up on stage to accept the award.
"I'm never at a loss for words," he said, "but I was then."
On Thursday, though, McGee had recovered enough to say a key factor in IMSA's selection was its outreach programs to support teachers and students throughout the state who want access to inquiry-based education.
In the past year alone, he said, IMSA has offered such programs for roughly 2,000 students and 400 teachers.
He said the recognition from Intel is an indication IMSA is meeting its mission to be "the world's leading teaching and learning laboratory for imagination and inquiry."
None of that would be possible, of course, without a top-notch student body and teachers.
"Our faculty members really help kids generate and create knowledge," he said.
McGee had been scheduled to meet Tuesday with U.S. Rep Bill Foster in Washington, but was a little late because of the award ceremony.
Foster, who has seen IMSA's work firsthand as both an Illinois congressman and the father of a graduate, didn't seem to mind.
"This award is a testament to IMSA's status as one of our nation's premier institutions of math and science education," he said in a written statement released Thursday.
McGee said IMSA plans to celebrate its award in October by bringing together many of its supporters, including legislators, business people and educators.
In the meantime, he can be excused if he's still feeling a bit like Denzel Washington or Tom Hanks walking off with their golden statues.
"I am just elated," he said. "I've been in education since 1972 and this is in the top three events of my professional life. This is remarkable."