East Duplin High Teacher Kirk Kennedy Receives STEM Award
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC –Kirk Kennedy has received an excellence in teaching award from the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Center. The SMT Center awarded the Mr. Kennedy at its annual SMT Celebration gala on April 18.
Kirk Kennedy is a 20 year veteran science teacher at East Duplin High School in Beulaville, NC. Mr. Kennedy demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching and promoting student learning in STEM at his school and in his district. As a STEM lead teacher at East Duplin for three years, Mr. Kennedy has played a critical role in the development and implementation of the school’s summer bridge program during which incoming 9th graders spend a week engaged in STEM projects in order to learn the engineering design process and investigate the school’s Agri-science and Biotechnology theme.
Mr. Kennedy’s classroom includes an integration of disciplines as students make presentations using web-based technology and entertain questions and comments from peers. He has developed a blended classroom by using his personally prepared presentations on subjects that students may view before and after class. To ensure that all students have access to resources, Mr. Kennedy provides CD’s for students without internet access.
The N.C. Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) Center is focused on improving education as a means of providing all students in North Carolina with the knowledge and skills to have successful careers, be good citizens, and advance the economy of the state. Promoting innovation and change in education, the SMT Center celebrates educational excellence in North Carolina by supporting educators, engaging students, and advancing the growing importance of having a STEM-educated workforce.
The SMT Center also believes that STEM is more than Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It’s Strategies That Engage Minds® through hands-on, active involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education that promotes essential cognitive skills for the 21st century.
Each year the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center (SMT Center) offers awards that recognize individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to science, mathematics, and technology (SMT) education in North Carolina are helping to advance the mission of the SMT Center.
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CONTACT: Lisa Rhoades at 919/991-5111 or lrhoades@bwfund.org