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Apache Junction High School teacher Cary McDavid awarded ‘Pioneer Award’

Posted 5/18/21

Apache Junction High School teacher Cary McDavid used two words to describe what it was like to teach his introduction to engineering course in the 2020-21 school year.

“Rather …

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Neighbors

Apache Junction High School teacher Cary McDavid awarded ‘Pioneer Award’

Posted

Apache Junction High School teacher Cary McDavid used two words to describe what it was like to teach his introduction to engineering course in the 2020-21 school year.

“Rather difficult,” he said.

Jennifer Velez, the program coordinator of Arizona State University’s Engineering Projects in Community Service, used a different word to describe why Mr. McDavid received the Pioneer Award, which goes to a new EPICS teacher — first or second year in the program — who “embraces the program in such a way to affect recognizable change in his or her students, school and/or community.”

“Remarkable,” Ms. Velez said in an email. “Mr. McDavid was chosen for persevering through a very tumultuous school year. He remained committed to facilitating the program in spite of the many barriers related to COVID-19.

“EPICS High is a very hands-on program that requires students to work in teams and collaborate with stakeholders to develop and deliver engineering solutions. All of our EPICS High teachers, including those who have been doing the program for years, have struggled to keep EPICS High afloat amidst the pandemic. The fact that Cary McDavid, who is new to the program, was able to keep the program together at AJHS during a pandemic — while at the same time re-building the engineering program there — is remarkable,” she said.

Mr. McDavid said the recognition came as a surprise and that it was, “greatly appreciated.”

“It was rather difficult trying to figure out how to do projects where kids couldn’t meet with each other,” he said.

Despite that hardship, six students in Mr. McDavid’s class — Benjamin Martinez, Kenda Grose, Micah Pape, Johnny Baca, Destiny Ruelas Estrada and Manuel Pachecho — conceptually designed a tank and filter system that was selected as one of 11 finalists in the EPICS Olympiad in mid-November. The system answered the challenge of how to provide a secure potable water supply in a rural village of about 500 families.

Mr. McDavid’s class also came up with a misting system that would be placed over picnic tables to help keep kids cool in the summer and a roll-around adjustable multi-plug outlet. Three teachers at AJHS were so impressed with the outlet when they saw it they ordered it for their classrooms.

“I was pretty proud of the kids,” Mr. McDavid said. “For those that were really engaged they did amazing work.”

So did Mr. McDavid, which is why he was given the Pioneer Award.

Editor’s note: Scott Bordow is Apache Junction Unified School District’s director of communications and community engagement.