Mark Weaver
Clay Junior High School
Carmel, IN

"Students should feel comfortable in their environment and at the same time care for it and learn from it. Whenever I show a film in my class, I create a variety of environmental special effects to help students connect to the content they are viewing. For a film on the world's biomes, I erect sensors that blow mist during rainforest and waterfall scenes; trigger heat lamps for desert scenes, and blow fans over pans of ice for polar views. This adds that extra bit that might help students understand and remember the ideas and concepts presented in the film."

"Every now and then, I get the opportunity to work with a teacher whom I feel rises above the ordinary, even rises above outstanding. I find those qualities in Mark Weaver. Enter Mark's classroom and you enter a wonderful world of visually stimulating science displays. Mark instills the love of science into all of his students."

Mark works to create an environment that students can identify with and feel comfortable in. He believes this is the best way to ensure that they will feel challenged and their achievement levels will improve. Several years ago, he was given the opportunity to develop an outdoor laboratory using a nearby drainage area. This laboratory has expanded from just hosting science students to hosting students from the entire school as well as from other schools in the area. The Department of Natural Resources has used this lab area as a demonstration and education site for local schools. Mark continues to encourage students to develop, monitor, regulate, conduct research, and enjoy the facility, which includes a small wooded area and a large pond.

Other Highlights:

• Golden Web Award, http://www.ccs.k12.in.us/polar/polarbear.html, 2001
• Pinnacle Club Award, Web Author's Choice, 2000
• Arctic Internet Program, Churchill, Manitoba-Carmel Schools, 1998
• Originated and taught an Elementary Science Enrichment Program, Science Wizards, for a local school, 1989-2000
• Lectures on science education, polar bears, Romans, archeology, local Native Americans, conservation, and travels, 1984-Present
• Adjunct professor, Anderson University, "Hands-on Science," 1998-99
• Indiana Department of Education and Milken Family Foundation Award, 1997
• Golden Apple Award, IPALCO, 1995
• Science Department Chair
• Salvation Army Volunteer
• Outstanding Achievement in Science Education Recognition by Boehringer-Mannheim, Corp., 1997
• Churchill-polar bear exploration/visitation, 1995
• Announcer for football and basketball