The Falcon Robotics team:
Faridodin “Fredi” Lajvardi has been an instructor since 1988 in the Phoenix Union High School District, with all but one of his 17 years at Carl Hayden Community High School. He received his B.A.E. degree from Arizona State University in 1988. Fredi has taught Earth/Space Science, Environmental Science, Chem/Physics, Biology and Marine Science from 1988 to 2005. Fredi was recognized as Educator of the year by the Carl Hayden High School and the Phoenix Union High School District in 2004. He was also awarded the IEEE Arizona regional Educational Institutional Award For Outstanding Educator (Pre-College) in 2005.
Allan Cameron’s teenage interest in electronics evolved into his U.S. Navy electronics technician rating (1965-1968) and his amateur radio license (N7UJJ). He received his B.A. in Elementary Education in 1975 and his Ph.D. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in 1991. Allan taught elementary grades in Scottsdale, AZ (1975-1984). Since 1987, he has been a computer science teacher at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix, AZ. Allan was also recognized as Educator of the year by the Carl Hayden High School and the Phoenix Union High School District (2004). He received the IEEE Educational Activities Board Pre-College Educator Award (2005).
In 2001 Fredi and Allan joined forces to get students to actively participate in engineering projects; showing them that engineering can be fun and exciting as well as valuable. Robotics has been the club’s main focus and the team has been very successful over the past four years. They have been to three national robotics championships through FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology), winning the second highest award possible at the 2005 National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia (The Engineering Inspiration Award).
The club has also competed in national underwater robotics competitions through MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education center), entering the university category. They generated much buzz in 2004 when the four-member team comprised of Mexican immigrants beat out powerhouse universities, including MIT, in a national underwater robotics competition in California. The team placed third in 2005 beating out MIT again, as well as other universities! This year the team won second place. The win netted the students much media publicity, prompting a scholarship fund for them and movie offers. They received national and international recognition when the story broke and was published in Wired Magazine and Reader’s Digest. Their story is now being adapted for a film that will be produced by Warner Brothers and John Wells, the creator of ER and The West Wing. For more information visit http://www.falconrobotics.org
The Digital Age: Teaching and Learning for Tomorrow Today
Mark S. Benno, PH.D. is an Education Development Executive for Apple Computer in Florida. In this role he helps people envision and develop effective technology integration programs. Mark likes to challenge people to exceed their dreams; professional development is his passion. Most of his work over the past fourteen years has been in faculty development (for educators of students in preschool - graduate school). Among other places, he has worked at Nolan Middle School in Killeen ISD in Texas, Hillcrest PDS, a professional development school for Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and Tech4Learning in San Diego.
As a speaker, Mark addresses educators nationwide on the future of technology and education and how students today impact our educational systems. He also leads workshops that explore curriculum integration, technology planning, film production in the classroom, digital photography, clay animation, and video conferencing applications for grades K - 12. He has delivered keynotes in 35 states, Australia and New Zealand.
Mark completed his Ph.D. in technology and teacher education, with a minor in curriculum and instruction, at Mississippi State University in 2000. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator from the class of ’99 and is writing his third book. Mark is also past president of the Texas Association for Educational Technology (TAET).
