Teacher Selected

For Technology Program

  Newtown High School science teacher Bridget Berechid was recently selected to participate in a two-year National Science Foundation (NSF) program learning about emerging technologies in the workplace.

Ms Berechid, a Southbury resident, was among 21 high school and community college math, science and technology instructors state-wide to be selected for this year’s program. The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), in conjunction with the Connecticut State University System, is administering the program.

The program will help educators develop a greater understanding of business technology so they can create programs in their schools that will align with the skills needed in today’s economy. “There are not a lot of programs designed to give educators practical experience in the business world,” said Lauren Weisburg Kaufman, CBIA vice president and director of the Association’s Education Foundation. “Educators who participate in this program have the opportunity to engage their students in more active learning experiences,” she noted, “better preparing them for the future.”

Candidates were selected for their commitment to learning about technological advances and for their willingness to infuse real-life experiences into their classrooms. Technologies being used in manufacturing, engineering (including biomedical engineering) and information technology will be the focus. The program also requires teachers to devise a curriculum that included work-based learning opportunities for students.

Among the activities in which the teachers will participate is a visit to Pfizer, Inc, in Groton to learn about the technology used in drug discoveries. They will attend a workshop and train for three-dimensional engineering software and a technology exposition highlighting cutting-edge technologies being used in Connecticut companies. They will also spend time working at a Connecticut company getting hands-on experience with the technologies used in business.

CBIA is the state’s largest business organization, representing 10,000 companies statewide. For more information visit www.cbia.com.