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Technology Bridging Learning Gap in Rural AlaskaAndrew Morris may be only ten years old, but the sixth grader is using technology to learn and teach others about protecting the environment where he lives.Related Content
Andrew Morris may be only ten years old, but the sixth grader is using technology to learn and teach others about protecting the environment where he lives. He calls it the Chevak Waste Project.
“We can recycle some of the things like aluminum cans and plastic bottles, but the trash…We are trying to figure out a way to recycle that,” said Andrew. He is promoting his idea through a combination of tools, like his iPad, to get people in Alaska and around the world to care the “unbelievable” amount of trash in Chevak. And, technology is a tool that can teach Alaska’s students real-world skills so they are better prepared for the workforce. In an effort to make education relevant in today’s economy, a group of educators are in Anchorage to figure out how to get more kids exposed to multiple career fields early on so they can be better prepared for success after graduation. “If [learning] is made interesting, engaging and shows youth a path, it’s going to keep them invested in school so they can graduate,” said Kitty Farnham, a consultant with the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education conference. Through the use of technology like iPads, computers and the Internet, Alaska’s students are placed on a more level field of learning. “A kid can learn to run a backhoe on a simulator. It’s not quite the same, but it certainly gives them a leg up when they get to the real thing. And, a lot of it can be done on virtual learning,” said Ed Marman, a career and technology counselor in the Mat-Su Borough School District. But Steve Pine, superintendent of the Kashunamiut Schools in Chevak, said it is up to educators to stay informed on developing technologies so they can direct students. Andrew is in Anchorage to present his project at the AACTE conference. He also brought old laptops from Chevak, which will be recycled. This remarkable young man doesn't take all of the credit for his efforts, either. He said his mom's chocolate chip pancakes helped get the town involved in picking up trash. |
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Anonymous said on Monday, Dec 5 at 11:45 PM
Way to clean up the trash Chevak... it all left on a plane this morning :)
77961704OMG said on Thursday, Nov 10 at 1:04 AM
get over it ppl you guys are just making a fool out of your selves by being like this towards one 10 year old kid act mature and grow up ya'll need to stop tipping off on one lil word this kid is doing a great job hes not trying to make anything sound bad about this town FORGIVE AND FORGET God Bless he is a great kid no1 looks at it that way but your selves just YOU YOUR SELVES not him he just wants an edcuation so learn i bet you a 100% this kid likes Chevak so stop tipping off
76708354FOR Chevak-res 17 said on Monday, Nov 7 at 11:30 PM
He said it on the news. Re watch it. We all know, he shouldn't have said something that makes Chevak sound so bad. He's doesn't even go to this school.
76589888chevak resident- 17 said on Monday, Nov 7 at 11:33 AM
okay so because its written in the article, that means he presented it to people??? hmmm.....
76560404hmm said on Monday, Nov 7 at 12:32 AM
Chevak-res 17....The word "unbelievable" is quoted in this article, just sayin'
76536512chevak resident-17 said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 9:43 AM
whoever responded to chevak res-17...god bless america. did you watch the presentation to witness the fact that he said it himself.. "CHEVAK is a big mess".. i believe not. so think before you speak. witness before you act.. thank you.
76478536A Reminder said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 3:28 AM
a reminder to All you Chevakers out there Respecting one another is our Cup'ik values and respecting goes along with everyone and anyone this child is trying to help Chevak. he is a good kid along with the superintendent with what they are doing no other person has ever done something like this for us and scholarships that Steve us helping us out are out there for the kids and he helps with many things there should be a heart somewhere in there of you ppl that are saying this CUP"IK VALUE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER would you want someone leave chevak with a good feeling like that is their home just think about it Think about it!
76466872This is for- chevak resident-17 said on Saturday, Nov 5 at 12:22 AM
THIS IS FOR- chevak resident-17: Yes, he said so himself saying: There is unbelievable amount of trash in Chevak. Obviously, you aren't paying attention too well. And talking about ROLE MODELS- his "daddy" aka step-father who is using schools money for his own use? You call that role model? Pssh.. get your facts straight. He shouldn't have said something like this, it upsets people who live in Chevak.
76464677chevak resident-17 said on Friday, Nov 4 at 11:39 PM
MAYBE IF YOU GUYS ACTUALLY WATCHED THE PRESENTATION YOUD CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. -he did not write the article people! come on. get real. do you think he actually said chevak is unbelievably dirty?!.. show some respect and get some morals.. -respect one another.. something that was always said by the elders of chevak.. respect one another. this child is only 10 years of age who is trying to make a change and do good.. change your point of view and before you create your little hatred, aka drama get to know the whole story be role models, the children follow after the adults.. how do you intend on making chevak better if you dont try to change it? Yes, tc does recycle. but they need some help. and thats the only thing this child is trying to do.. so appreciate the work and effort and be respectful.
76464272drama said on Friday, Nov 4 at 8:20 PM
STEVE PINE NEEDS TO BE LET GO!!!! Don't blame the kid. He's only 10 years old.
76461484CHEVAKER... said on Friday, Nov 4 at 3:14 PM
ALL THIS RIGHT HERE IS JUST A FAKE!! WHAT ANDREW MORRIS IS TALKING ABOUT IS NOT TRUE!! WE CHEVAKERS HAVE COMMUNITY CLEAN UPS EVERY OTHER YEAR WHICH INCLUDES SUMMER, FALL, AND SPRING!! THIS KID HAS ONLY BEEN HERE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND HIS TRYING TO SAY CHEVAK IS A MESS?? HE NEEDS TO THINK TWICE BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING.. BECAUSE HIS JUST UPSETTING CHEVAK PEOPLE THAT HAS ALREADY READ THIS. THIS IS JUST BS! ITS NOT TRUE!! PLUS THIS KID DOESNT EVEN SCHOOL HERE. HIS HOMESCHOOLED AND HERE STEVE PINE IS USING THE SCHOOLS MONEY WHICH HIS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE DOING..
76451087Resident said on Friday, Nov 4 at 10:10 AM
Just as a mother would want her toddler girl to win the tiara, this mother wants her son to win the next tiara Al Gore competition. Honesty is the best policy and what appears to be a publicity stunt for scholarships or whatever. Keep stories clean and true so it wont turn to a big litter of mess.
76435104Vaker said on Friday, Nov 4 at 5:59 AM
I feel bad for the child. It is not his fault that his dad decided the school was good enough to earn a 6 figure salary but not good enough to educate his child. It is not his fault that his dad is trying to use Chevak as a stepping stone to get a job at a larger district. Let's face it, why else is he in ANC hobbnobbing and getting his face out there? This kid did not contact the news, he is obviously being used as a puppet by his parents. people need to stop criticizing the kid and put the blame where it belongs....right at the feet of his parents. Come on Chevak, show this guy the door.
76419451Anonymous said on Friday, Nov 4 at 4:39 AM
So wrong! I as a Chevak resident, a college student, and as a recycler have personal experience of community clean ups! And this goes years back! And I am very VERY familiar with the community's recycling program. The community already does very well to get together for such causes. My first reaction was that this is such a wrong way to get the word out. I am very surprised about this abuse of media!
76415041FAIL said on Friday, Nov 4 at 2:58 AM
"He is promoting his idea through a combination of tools, like his iPad", "A kid can learn to run a backhoe on a simulator." Is he learning & teaching other kids to pick up trash on his iPad? haha
76411529Anonymous said on Friday, Nov 4 at 2:42 AM
Okay, I just want to say it's obvious that KTVA CBS 11 News didn't do their research, and the people are upset because spotlighting Andrew Morris is like giving him credit for an idea that has already been patented by the community. The community already does trash pick-ups and recycling. I think KTVA CBS 11 News might have done a better job if the article actually fit the title, which is about technology and learning. Just goes to show you to think twice about trusting the news media! Hey, I might have thought this might be about Rural Alaska implementing high-tech devices in the classroom and showing how it is affecting the students academically.
76411252?? said on Friday, Nov 4 at 1:44 AM
He doesn't even school at the school! Chevak does do trash pick up! Chevak is NOT trashy! Should have thought twice before showing it on T.V.!
76410298Anonymous said on Friday, Nov 4 at 12:23 AM
Anything regarding bashing Andrew should be stopped-- it's not his fault. I think what many community members are upset about is that we were expecting to see our Chevak students in the Environmental Stewards program featured on the news when we were asked to watch that first night-- it didn't feature any of them... just Andrew, who is home-schooled. We have to keep in mind that that wasn't his doing. If you all are angry at Steve Pine (superintendent/child's dad), then be clear about that. Don't make this appear to be about Chevakers not liking that a kid from the outside is helping to be active in the cleaning of the community because that is NOT why people are upset. Have an opinion, but think about it, and explain it with tact. I would say that there are several other reasons that community members are upset about the news piece and it has very little to do with Andrew or recycling or cleaning up Chevak. Tonight's news feature was MUCH more inclusive of the other VAK students.
76390178KARMA said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 11:37 PM
I do believe he did a good job. But this child got a lot of Chevak people mad by saying "unbelievable" amount of trash in Chevak, which is not true. Also, taking advantage by being the ONLY one who is taking credit for it, where are the other students that helped? I think he should watch what he say's before he starts talking about how "awful" he makes Chevak sound, because this is offensive toward people who live in Chevak.
76380139Hmmm said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 10:32 PM
I agree ":)" he isn't doing anything wrong, BUT he is being used. I live in Chevak and I have heard the mayor talk several times about cleaning up the city (And he even help start that process by revamping the dump) Look, Andrew is 10 years old, so at this point he is more than likely carrying and voicing mommy and "daddy's" views; in other words, it may of well have been Steve Pine speaking those words (Which makes this story even worse!) If Steve Pine can't believe the amount of trash out here (which isn't that bad) then he needs to show that he genuinely cares by showing what CHEVAKERS are doing! I don't think I'm the only Chevak-er ready to see Steve Pine GO!
76379236:) said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 10:17 PM
Dude, guys are so stub. At least he is helping Chevak out, why not help him?? At least he is doing something about this Problem. :) why can't you do the same?? This is a Chevaker, and I am an Environmental Steward. He isn't doing anything wrong. :) at least he is cleaning up after you guys. Come On, you guys are old enough not to litter
76379019:) said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 9:29 PM
Prove him wrong Chevak residents!
76377997what the BLEEP!!!!!!! said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 9:26 PM
this kid is out of his mind. thinking that he knows Chevak really well and what not... he's only been here for a few months and says that Chevak has an "unbelievable" amount of trash? what is with this kid? Chevak isn't the only place where there is trash on the ground!! Andrew, shame on you! you haven't seen what we do so DO NOT talk about how our village is and how it looks. people all over Chevak has read this and they are dissappointed in what you just said. SHAME ON YOU!
76377946Mr. said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 8:14 PM
Every year I go to Chevak for a visit. This is the first I've ever heard of someone saying there is unbelievable amount of trash in Chevak. I usually leave about fall time, before school starts. I see they do a fall clean around that time too, and they do a great job. This kid is getting all this attention and he's only been in Chevak for a few months? The superintendent should be fired for what his doing with the schools money. VERY BAD REPUTATION FOR A KID WHOSE BEEN THERE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS USING SCHOOLS MONEY FOR PERSONAL USE.
76376359unknown said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:55 PM
I do agree with some of the people who commented on here. He is NOT a student of the Chevak School, he is home schooled. Chevak does have a recycling place at the Traditonal Council, and do they do spring, summer, and fall clean ups. Chevak is a very small place, stuff like this will get around. Especially if the superintendent is using the schools money for his "sons" fame and also personal use. We have to put an end to this guy if he is using the schools money for his families plane tickets. May never know what else he is using it for.
76375808... said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:43 PM
your making chevak look bad.. this is a very great village! we already have a recycling thing going on! we have a Recycling program.. its good enough here.. many visitors that come to chevak say its a great place with great people.. why does he think we need to start a program.. his just making himself a "star" or trying to become famous... we are good.. the residents in chevak help with cleaning up every spring summer and fall. stop making this up...
76375383Student101 said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:25 PM
First of all this is BS. All these years I've lived here, children to adults, clean up every year. They do have a Environmental Program which takes care of it and they do recycle.I think we all can't rely on technology, one day its not going to be there. A student like Andrew should not say this place has "unbelievable" amount of trash when his only been here for a short while, and he should get his facts straight about what people do to take care of it. If Steve Pine is using the schools money for personal use than he shouldn't be there. I think we need to get the community involved in this because the schools money isn't for him and his family to use.
76374312j said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 7:16 PM
that kid is not a chevak student, he is a home school student. the superintendent is getting bad reviews from lots of employees. CHEVAK is clean.
76372804J.A said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 6:54 PM
Wow. I am surprised by this story. Every where you go, you are going to find trash, not just Chevak. Obviously this boy hasn't been out much if he thinks its SO MUCH trash. Also I can see only Anderew, and not other students that are shown-that helped out too. Chevak does trash clean up every year. He makes the community sound bad, by saying there is "unbelievable" amount of trash, really when the community does trash clean up every year. Also, Steve Pine should NOT use the schools money to buy plane tickets and personal use. Who knows what else his spending the money on? This could have been a "great story" if there was more students in the picture instead of one taking all the credit for it and he's only been here for a short while, NOT knowing what the community does for a clean up.
76371654Michelle said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 1:03 PM
It's all lies! I have been to Chevak before as a Teacher. The community is clean, and like Mary said they do a clean every spring, summer and fall, plus there is a recycle center at the Traditional council. Plus looking at the Channel 11 News, it's all about his son. Where are the Chevak students? To channel 11 news, you might as well call people from Chevak like the mayor, store manager, teachers, and community members about their comments, good day to all.
76335004CT said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 12:56 PM
When I was told to watch this I thought it was also going to involve the students actually from Chevak in this article. It sure would have made it a stronger piece. We don't need attention hogs that try to take the name of Chevak away. The traditional council has been recycling, and it wasn't your idea in the first place either. And don't try to take credit for it.
76334526Mary said on Thursday, Nov 3 at 9:20 AM
Being a resident of Chevak for over 30 plus years I have never seen our community with so called "unbelievable" amount of trash as stated by the Pine family. Every year our community come together to do spring, summer, and fall clean up and our Traditional Council has been doing the recycling for 10 plus years. Chevak is not his community, it OUR community. Don't try to make Chevak look bad it really is a nice beautiful place.
76282249Agnes said on Wednesday, Nov 2 at 10:46 PM
It would be nice to see the locals featured in this article and not the superintendent's home-schooled kid who has been out there for a whopping total of four months. Not to mention traveling on the district's dime and using technology that was also bought on the district's dime for the child's personal use. Great for the young man- but, this superintendent needs to invest in the children of the school and community. Stop using Chevak to make yourself a "star". Where are the Chevak students that you are there to support, Mr. Pine? Why aren't they showcased? What a shame!
76258113L. Brubaker said on Wednesday, Nov 2 at 7:03 PM
What a great story! What a great mom to help encourage such interest and concern for his local community.
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