NOMINATING:
Carol Fraser
FOR: Carnegie Science Award in ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR category
BASED ON: Her years of science educator achievements at Fairmont Elementary & Middle School
21. Please identify the novel, innovative, and unique achievements(s) relative to the award
category to which you are submitting this nomination. (250 words or less)
Carol Fraser’s passion and dedication fosters her students’ interests and enthusiasm for learning
science. Her teaching exemplifies what it means to engage students in the learning process, as they
actively explore curricular topics and discover new levels of knowledge and skills. One of her former
students Laura declared, “she liked us doing science, touching it, feeling it, instead of just work and
videos to understand what a subject was.” She makes class fun by completing projects. Another
student, Jarrod, explained that when Mrs. Fraser covered material, “it was not really a book unit; it
was lots of projects and interactive stuff.” Projects ranged from making edible cells, to becoming
blind-folded bats, to smearing UV beads with various sunscreen brands, to making Dr. Seuss-like
“oobleck” to explain states of matter. One crowning achievement included converting a neglected
playground corner into a garden, weather station, flowing stream channel, and outdoor learning
center. Students saw science in action and got their hands dirty while creating and helping to care
for the space. It is still a space of learning and comfort. When Carol recently transferred to the
middle school with new curricular topics to teach, she did not demand the teacher edition of the
textbook. Instead, she wanted to know where the equipment was and what the lab activities were.
Immediately she was finding ways to engage the students and brainstorming ideas for big projects.
Within weeks, she had guided the principal to the rooftop to discuss possible solar panels and rain
gardens.
22.
Please describe the impact of the candidate's contributions. (Maximum response 255 chars,
approx. 5 rows of text)
Mrs. Fraser’s students enjoy science experiences that fuel their interests and desire to learn. She finds
effective activities, labs, and projects that have her students leaving class thinking science is fun,
relevant, and important to them and her.
23.
Please provide an example (250 words or less).
Efforts to find unique learning opportunities were far-reaching, even light-years in size. Many times
Carol would peer up at the night sky of stars and planets and wish that her kids could experience the
majesty of the constellations and galaxies. Eventually, an opportunity fell from the heavens above.
The district obtained a large grant that allowed for the purchase of a portable planetarium to show
detailed computerized night sky maps and programs. Carol was the obvious choice to master and
facilitate this resource. She trained other teachers in the district on the learning opportunities
available from the planetarium. Around the same time, Carol was invited to participate in a NASA’s
Mercury Messenger Educator Fellowship Program, an elite teacher training opportunity. She was even
able to give input about a probe bound for the Mercury planet. Full of ideas, resources, practical
experiences, and eagerness, Carol used the new planetarium to inspire not only her students, but
other grade-levels as well. Partnered with a 5th grade science teacher, Jennifer Kosior, the night sky
“bubble” went to every school in the district, to neighboring private schools, and even to Penn State
University for a large community event. Parents, families, administrators, and school board members
were invited inside the dome to experience what was making space become so vivid and real to the
district’s students. They left with knowledge of constellations and satellites, and exited the
planetarium witnessing a teacher that was fervent about her teaching and impact.
24. Please add any additional information that you feel would be relevant for consideration
(250 words or less).
When Carol began teaching in the elementary, the science curriculum was outdated, cold, and
sporadically covered. She began to build up the curriculum and stressed to colleagues and
administrators the need for hands-on, relevant, and rigorous science education. As students
responded positively, that fueled Carol to produce even more creative and diverse activities.
Successes were shared with parents, administrators, and colleagues. Collaborations with other
subject area teachers emerged. “She pushed me to keep up with all of her ideas and energy and I
wanted to be back in the classroom when I saw her teach,” stated her elementary principal Charlie
Mort. Carol took a lead to be trained in the ASSET Science program and became a strong resource for
information and advice. Others noticed how her students’ interest levels and standardized test scores
climbed. She built a model of elementary science education that is appreciated by so many students
and colleagues today.
Carol has taken a leave of absence this school year due to medical issues, and the 2012-2013 school
year will likely have been her last. Her absence has left a void in our science department and
elementary buildings and leaves us appreciating and continuing her teaching philosophies. As her
teaching career ends, her colleagues adamantly wish to acknowledge all of her efforts and
accomplishments in the classroom with a Carnegie Science Award recognition.
25.
Question - Required - Please provide a brief biographical sketch of the nominee (250
words or less).
Carol Fraser was born and raised in Natrona Heights, PA and graduated from Highlands High School.
After receiving her degree at Slippery Rock University, she would eventually return to her alma mater
to become an educator there. She has been teaching in the Highlands School District since 1983,
first in high school English, then as an elementary educator. She usually focused on math and science
subject areas with her teaching responsibilities. She spent most of her teaching years at Fairmont
Elementary, but embarked on a new teaching chapter in 2012 as a 6th grade teacher at the middle
school, still utilizing her elementary education certification. She is married to husband Milton Fraser
and has three children – Lindsay, Andrew, and Alex, all thankful for their Highlands education.
Teaching at Highlands is a family affair, as both of her sisters Susan and Beverly taught in and retired
from Highlands. She also has a brother, John. Her husband and children were often willingly
recruited to assist with her numerous school projects.