{"636873":{"#nid":"636873","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Innovative Georgia Tech K12 InVenture Prize Lead Teacher Garners National Recognition","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJulia Varnedoe, Gifted Education Specialist at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/web.cobbk12.org\/mountbethel\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMount Bethel Elementary School\u003C\/a\u003E, was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.thehenryford.org\/education\/competitions-and-events\/teacher-innovator-awards\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Henry Ford\u0026#39;s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;sponsored by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rtx.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERaytheon Technologies\u003C\/a\u003E. Varnedoe was 1 out of 10 Grand Prize winners and was the sole winner from the state of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Teacher Innovator Awards is hosted by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.thehenryford.org\/explore\/innovation-nation\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHenry Ford\u0026#39;s Innovation Nation\u003C\/a\u003E. It is a show on\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cbs.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECBS\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;that celebrates inventors by showcasing the stories and passion behind the world\u0026#39;s greatest inventions. The competition selects 10 grand prize winners and 10 first-place winners from across the United States. The award winners include teachers who exhibit characteristics of an innovator and challenge students to take risks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EVarnedoe and other Grand Prize winners received a $1500 gift card for classroom supplies and other educational materials and services.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs an educator, Varnedoe has made it a goal to provide an environment that encourages students to think critically, establish confidence, and develop skills as independent learners. She provides a framework and curriculum that allows students to understand real-world problems and respond with unique solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to being an educator, Varnedoe was one of the teachers who piloted the K12 InVenture Prize with the elementary age group. She has served as a Lead Teacher for the program. This year, Varnedoe led 3rd place winners \u0026quot;Lightning Shock Sticker Sensor\u0026quot; from the elementary division. In 2018, Varnedoe coached a team that placed first at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.stemie.org\/nicee\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Invention Convention \u0026amp; Entrepreneurship Expo\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E(NICEE).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;The\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/inventurechallenge.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EK12 InVenture Prize\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026#39;s mission is to create the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs by making invention education accessible to all students and teachers in Georgia,\u0026quot; said\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/moore\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERoxanne Moore\u003C\/a\u003E, Director of the K12 InVenture Prize. \u0026quot;Julia has been a leader in making that dream a reality by sharing so much time, energy, and talent with our program.\u0026quot;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo further illustrate the success of the Georgia Tech K12InVenture Prize facilitated by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeoriga Tech Center for Education Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Computing\u003C\/a\u003E, two of the competition\u0026#39;s winning student teams advanced to the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/inventionconvention.org\/blog\/2020\/07\/02\/invention-convention-u-s-nationals-2020-winners\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E2020 Invention Convention U.S. Nationals\u003C\/a\u003E. Marc Van Zyl, a student at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fcboe.org\/mhs\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMcIntosh High School\u003C\/a\u003E, placed 2nd for \u0026quot;Cloud Internet-of-Things Spirometer for COPD Patients\u0026quot; in the 9th-grade division. Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor McNeal of \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.harrisonhigh.org\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHarrison High School \u003C\/a\u003Ewon 3rd place for the 10th-grade division for their \u0026quot;Biodegradable Straws\u0026quot; invention.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026quot;As a Lead Teacher with Georgia Tech K12 InVenture Prize, Julia has delivered professional development to hundreds of teachers throughout Georgia. She spearheaded curriculum development efforts, and has mentored student inventors all the way to the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals,\u0026quot; said Moore.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore becoming an educator, Varnedoe received a B.S. in Communication from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fsu.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFlorida State University\u003C\/a\u003E and an MBA from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.stetson.edu\/home\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStetson University\u003C\/a\u003E. She began her career as a marketing professional. 20 years later, she became a teacher after obtaining certificates in Early Elementary Education, Special Education, Business Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Art Education. Varnedoe has taught at Mount Bethel Elementary School for the past 11 years as a Gifted Education Specialist for grades 3-5.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy: Shannon Malone \u0026ndash; CEISMC Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Julia Varnedoe selected as a Grand Prize Winner of The Henry Ford\u0027s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJulia Varnedoe, Gifted Education Specialist at Mount Bethel Elementary School, was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.thehenryford.org\/education\/competitions-and-events\/teacher-innovator-awards\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EThe Henry Ford\u0026#39;s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;sponsored by\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca class=\u0022_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink\u0022 href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rtx.com\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERaytheon Technologies\u003C\/a\u003E. Varnedoe was 1 out of 10 Grand Prize winners and was the sole winner from the state of Georgia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Elementary School teacher, Julia Varnedoe was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of The Henry Ford\u0027s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards"}],"uid":"28054","created_gmt":"2020-07-10 18:14:07","changed_gmt":"2020-07-10 19:07:13","author":"Steven Taylor","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2020-06-15T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"636876":{"id":"636876","type":"image","title":"Julia Varnedoe, Gifted Education Specialist at Mount Bethel Elementary School, was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of The Henry Ford\u0027s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards","body":null,"created":"1594405639","gmt_created":"2020-07-10 18:27:19","changed":"1594406010","gmt_changed":"2020-07-10 18:33:30","alt":"Julia Varnedoe, Gifted Education Specialist at Mount Bethel Elementary School, was selected as a Grand Prize Winner of The Henry Ford\u0027s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards","file":{"fid":"242280","name":"JV 2020 photo 2a.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JV%202020%20photo%202a_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JV%202020%20photo%202a_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":230251,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/JV%202020%20photo%202a_0.jpg?itok=HXnec7YZ"}},"636874":{"id":"636874","type":"image","title":"Marc Van Zyl, a student at McIntosh High School, placed 2nd for \u0022Cloud Internet-of-Things Spirometer for COPD Patients\u0022 in the 9th-grade division - National Invention Convention and Entrepreneurship Expo","body":null,"created":"1594405185","gmt_created":"2020-07-10 18:19:45","changed":"1594405185","gmt_changed":"2020-07-10 18:19:45","alt":"","file":{"fid":"242277","name":"p-med-spec.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/p-med-spec.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/p-med-spec.png","mime":"image\/png","size":164833,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/p-med-spec.png?itok=8PAEBafK"}},"636875":{"id":"636875","type":"image","title":"Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor McNeal of Harrison High School won 3rd place for the 10th-grade division for their \u0022Biodegradable Straws\u0022 invention at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals.","body":null,"created":"1594405537","gmt_created":"2020-07-10 18:25:37","changed":"1594405537","gmt_changed":"2020-07-10 18:25:37","alt":"Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor McNeal of Harrison High School won 3rd place for the 10th-grade division for their \u0022Biodegradable Straws\u0022 invention at Invention Convention U.S. Nationals.","file":{"fid":"242278","name":"a-firstplace-high.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/a-firstplace-high.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/a-firstplace-high.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3365112,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/a-firstplace-high.jpg?itok=6rhc99Av"}}},"media_ids":["636876","636874","636875"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.thehenryford.org\/education\/competitions-and-events\/teacher-innovator-awards\/","title":"The Henry Ford\u0027s Innovation Nation Teacher Innovator Awards "},{"url":"https:\/\/www.stemie.org\/nicee","title":"National Invention Convention \u0026 Entrepreneurship Expo"},{"url":"https:\/\/k12inventure.gatech.edu","title":"k12 InVenture Prize"},{"url":"https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu","title":"Georgia Tech Center for Education Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Computing"}],"groups":[{"id":"361651","name":"Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)"},{"id":"598218","name":"K-12 Connection"},{"id":"592706","name":"K-12 InVenture Challenge"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"411","name":"CEISMC"},{"id":"184343","name":"2020 K12 InVenture Prize"},{"id":"178283","name":"K12 InVenture Prize"},{"id":"185283","name":"Julia Varnedoe"},{"id":"172093","name":"Roxanne Moore"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech K-12 Inventure Prize\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/k12inventure@gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ek12inventure@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["k12inventure@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}