SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes and Principal Leslie Weckesser are pleased to report that Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School Biology & Earth/Space Science teacher Christine Garabedian has won an award for her work helping students prepare for and successfully execute science fair projects during the school year.
Garabedian is one of two recipients of the 2022 Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair (MSEF) Teacher Award, which recognizes Massachusetts teachers for their contributions to helping students be “Science Fair Ready.”
Garabedian was nominated for the award by Southeastern Academic Supervisor Joanne O’Brien.
Sponsored by Sanofi Specialty Care, the 2022 MSEF Teacher Award celebrates one high school teacher and one middle school teacher who supported independent student STEM learning through participation in the Massachusetts Science & Engineering Fair. Garabedian was the recipient of a cash award for being honored as this year’s high school award recipient.
Garabedian coordinated and ran Southeastern’s 2022 SERSD Independent Scientific Research Fair, working tirelessly with students and all of the school’s science teachers. She helped her students in class and after school to create meaningful, complete and high-quality science fair projects. At the event, students were able to showcase their projects by articulating their data and findings in a professional manner. The event was an overwhelming success, involving all members of the school community including teachers, administrators, school committee members, and support staff who judged the projects.
“Due to the restraints from COVID-19, Southeastern had not run a science fair for two years, and Ms. Garabedian creatively crafted a fair that allowed for the maximum number of participants, and was totally inclusive,” O’Brien said. “She provided strategies and created resources for science teachers to enhance the experience for them and their students. She encouraged all members of the school staff to become mentors for the students, as well as judging the students’ presentations at our fair, and it is very fitting that she has been recognized for all of her hard work by winning this award.”
As part of the process, Garabedian successfully mentored new teachers so that they could explain the benefits of science fair participation to their students and support them through the various stages. She conducted regular meetings with the science department to assist staff in overcoming the challenges of embedding the science fair into their curriculum.
“Ms. Garabedian’s passion for not only science education but teaching and learning as a whole is evident every single day, and she sets a tremendous example for the entire Southeastern school community,” Principal Weckesser said. “On behalf of the entire school, we congratulate her on this well-deserved award.”
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