Teachers Brian Spotts and Natalie Cooper put in long hours after school supporting the 2010-2011 West Geauga High School robotics team, including the development of a pitching machine for the Lake County Captains initially so powerful the players “declined” to face it in batting practice.
The team also placed in a competition in Pittsburgh, qualifying them to advance to a six-state event in Philadelphia, with members learning important technical, problem-solving and teamwork skills along the way. The competitions required teams of up to ten students in grades 9-12 use engineering principles to design, build and program robots to compete directly against other teams.
For their efforts with the robotics team, Spotts and Cooper have been recognized as the winners of the 2010-2011 WEDGE Award from the West Geauga Educational Foundation. Announced at teacher’s convocation on August 22nd, the award includes a $500 educational grant to be spent with their schools at the winners’ discretion.
“These two teachers created an environment where the students did all the planning, design, development and repair of the robots, even though they competed against teams where adults were clearly contributing,” said Jerry Pignolet, WEDGE president.
The Lake County Captains heard about the team’s competition successes and requested the pitching machine for a game-time promotion. An early version of the machine threw so hard and far, its first test pitch made perfect holes in two successive glass security doors.
Sponsored by the West Geauga Educational Foundation, the WEDGE Award is presented annually to a member of the West Geauga Schools community who shows an outstanding commitment to introducing and adopting innovative learning experience. In addition to being recognized for the willingness to try new ideas, WEDGE Award recipients also receive a $500 grant to be spent in the schools at their discretion.
The West Geauga Educational Foundation also awards money for innovative and creative programs in the West Geauga School System. WEDGE helps those interested in finding better ways to teach and learn to try new approaches.
Please visit the programs page on our website for more information on approved programs and how to apply for funding. The primary qualifications to apply? A willingness to try new ideas, experiences, technology and programs with West Geauga students in and outside the classroom.
To learn more about the West Geauga Educational Foundation, please visit our website at https://wgef.org/. If you would like to join, help, attend one of our events or make a donation, please contact WEDGE President, Jerry Pignolet at 440-338-5196.
