NC teacher honored for education innovation
Brent Osborn, a science teacher at North Central High School, was recently recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative educators in the 2005 ING Unsung Heroes awards.
Osborn was one of 100 winners who received a $2,000 award from the financial services company to help bring his innovative idea to life in the classroom. He now will vie with other winners for one of the top three prizes – an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000.
Osborn’s “Pathways to the Future – Research, Publication, and Presentation” project taught more than 90 students the latest techniques in bio-technology and environmental ecology while using the scientific method.
Research experience in the field, combined with other research, interviews and sample collection and analysis, were used to develop scientific studies. In the end, students were able to use spreadsheets, graphs and statistics to communicate the data.
The research was then published in the first-ever North Central High School Journal of Science. Oral presentations of the work were also given at the North Central Science Symposium in May
“As we celebrate 10 years of the ING Unsung Heroes awards program, ING is honored to award educators like Brent Osborn who go above and beyond to show their unwavering dedication and commitment to our youth,” said Bill Jasien, senior vice president of ING U.S. Financial Services.
Service identifies childhood development challenges
A free Child Find event scheduled for Sept. 12 through Oct. 1 will help identify infants and toddlers whose development may not be within the expected ranges and who may need evaluation and assessment.
The Spokane Regional Health District, in partnership with the Spokane County Interagency Coordinating Council, is hosting the second annual communitywide event for children under 3 years old.
The areas screened are:
•Cognitive: ability to learn
•Physical: ability to move, see and hear
•Communication: ability to understand language and express needs
•Social or emotional: ability to relate with others
•Adaptive skill: ability to dress, eat and take care of yourself
There will be different sites for families to choose from with professionals from various disciplines working in early intervention. For information or to schedule an appointment, call the Spokane Regional Health District’s Infant Toddler Network at 324-1651.
The sites may include: Holy Family Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation Department, Spokane Ear Nose and Throat Clinic, Spokane Guilds’ School and Neuromuscular Center, Youthful Horizons, West Valley School District, Riverside School District, The Northwest Center for Children’s Rehabilitation at St. Luke’s and Pediatric Therapy Specialists.
With parental permission, the results of the screening will be shared with the child’s primary medical provider. Family Resources Coordinators will be available at every site to assist families with additional resources.
Enroll now for free preschool
Head Start, Early Head Start and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program offer free preschool to qualified families in the greater Spokane area.
There are 31 neighborhood sites offering the program, each offering unique childcare and family support services.
Children 5 years old and younger are eligible for the program. Classes and services begin this month.
For location and availability, and other questions, call 533-4800.