[August 22, 2011] Grant win bolsters teacher's classroom plans Tweet Aug 22, 2011 (Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A teacher at St. Catharine of Sienna School in Mount Penn is hoping to parlay her recognition in a national educators award program into a positive learning experience for her students. Patricia Koch of Brecknock Township is among 100 teachers from across the country to be recognized as a 2011 ING Unsung Heroes grant recipient, selected from among 1,400 applicants. Her winning entry, "Red Hot Robotics," earned her a $2,000 grant to fund the project and bring it to the classroom. Beginning her sixth year teaching at St. Catharine, Koch, the science coordinator at the school, plans to use the program as part of the science lab curriculum for grades four through six. "Red Hot Robotics" will utilize a Lego robotics program to teach students how to assemble and program models, and software to test it and analyze results. The grant money will buy the program and software. "It gives the kids a way of problem solving, developing an idea, and making changes where they need to," Koch said. It also exposes them to problem solving in a group setting, she said. "Many teachers are criticized for not teaching thinking skills, and this program utilizes it," she said. " 'How did you come up with that? Go back and fix it' -- that's what they need for the real world." "We were looking for something to enhance the science lessons," said Sister Teresa Ballisty, principal. "Robotics was something that we felt would enhance the program that we already had." Started in 1996, the ING program provides grants to teachers in kindergarten through high school who utilize new technology and techniques that improve learning. Koch can now compete with other winners to be selected among the top three nationally, and be eligible for an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 grant. "I'm really hoping for the next one," she said. "At the $5,000 level I can get some computers." Contact City Desk: 610-371-5010 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2011, Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.) To see more of the Reading Eagle (Reading, Pa.), or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to readingeagle.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]