Berkner High School freshman Pre-AP Physics teacher, Kevin Cieszkowski, has won the The Innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching Award. The Texas Instruments Foundation-sponsored annual award honors instructors who are diligently working to enhance student achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through the use of innovative teaching methods and technology to enhance instruction and learning.

The goal of this Award for the Texas Instruments Foundation and the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation is to raise the profile and importance of quality STEM instruction among teachers and the community.  In addition, the Award provides incentive for outstanding teachers to continue the quality instruction in RISD.  The $10,000 Award is given to one secondary teacher in RISD and includes a personal award of $5,000 and $5,000 for professional development and classroom needs.

Cieszkowski, who was given the award by Texas Instruments Director of Public Affairs, Torrence Robinson, is masterful at getting Berkner kids interested in “ the rules of the Universe.”  “That’s what physics is,” he says. “We use physics to explain how to solve everyday problems, and the kids learn that physics is involved in almost everything they do.” 

The Berkner teacher spends as much as $1,000 a year of his own money to buy “toys” that demonstrate the principals of science, and he invites speakers  to share stories.  Police officers graphically demonstrated the role that momentum, mass and gravity play in the dynamics of a car crash. “If one kid leaves this class understanding how speeding will affect their ability to stop their car, I am happy,” says Kevin.

The students in Kevin’s class come away with much more than that knowledge- In the   two years that he has taught the class, his students have outperformed others on the Science portion of the TAKS test.  However, Kevin doesn’t teach to a test. “We use concrete examples for everything, so they really understand the content, then they do well on TAKS,” he explains.

 Kevin dismisses any notion that he is a special teacher. “The only thing that makes me successful as a teacher is that I am lucky to be sharing something I love, and I make everything they learn applicable to daily life.” He adds that he incorporates at least one demonstration in class every day to keep the students involved.

Kevin says the end of the year project was a presentation of how Physics is part of one of your daily activities. “Students have presented everything from making their morning coffee, to kicking a soccer ball. Last year a girl who threw the discus analyzed the physics involved in a great throw and was able to improve her personal best by 15 feet.”

Kevin Cieszkowski, educating students, training future scientists, and improving track meet scores!   

Click to enlarge photo

2009 Scholarship Recipients

The Excellence in Education Foundation announced its 2009 Scholarship recipients today from the four RISD high schools. “This is always the most enjoyable part of the year,” stated Scholarship Chair, Diane Wardrup. Scholarship winners include:

A.M. Anderson National Honor Society Scholarship was awarded to Samuel Haile from Lake Highlands High School.  The Scholarship was named in honor of the first principal of Lake Highlands High School and the student must be a member of the National Honor Society in good standing. The recipient receives a scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

The Thompson Family Scholarship for the Study of Science and/or Engineering was awarded to Jason Ruth of Richardson High School who plans to study engineering at a four year university.  The scholarship is renewable at $1,000 for all four years.

Dr. Carolyn G. Bukhair AVID Scholarship was awarded to Weldai Beilul of L.V. Berkner High School.  The student must be a member of the AVID program (Advancement via Individual Determination) which assists students who have intellectual ability to develop skills that prepare them for college. The Scholarship is $1,000.

The Katie Richards Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ghianda Becerril and Chase Faldmo of J. J. Pearce High School.  Katherine Wiley Richards, a Parkhill Junior High student, died of congenital heart disease at age 13 in 1995. In honor of Katie, the $1,000 scholarship was established to honor 2 deserving Pearce High School seniors.

The Giana Foundation Scholarship Fund for the Visual & Performing Arts honors two graduating seniors from Richardson High School:  Katherine Dedman and Jacqueline Slanley; and from
JJ Pearce High School:  Shelby Button and Brett Thiele.  This scholarship provides $5,000 per student to attend the college of his/her choice.

“We work all year to provide these scholarships to deserving students in RISD,” said Elizabeth Hart, President & CEO. We consistently and with pleasure look for funding to make it possible for students to attend college. They are our future.  We need to invest in them!”