Ron Harrelson

Harrelson and fellow teachers at Lakes Middle School created a Junior Engineering class to help with "Bridging the Gap" for their students and as a way to keep students interested in the areas of scientific research and engineering. The class bridges the gap between math and science and provides hands-on projects that complement curriculum that is taught in those subjects. Junior engineering incorporates computer literacy, scientific inquiry, project building and testing and physical science investigation that intertwine fun, competition and exciting activities for students. The simulated real world activities focus on creativity and problem solving as well as independent and teamwork learning. Students in the class will also improve their language skills as they present their results to others. Harrelson, who lives in Hayden, hopes that the program will provide his students with a level of technical literacy that is important in today's technology-rich society.