The uber dedicated robotics (and other stuff) HHS teacher

Huntsville High School teacher Ian McTavish has been honoured with a Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence in STEM award.

Announced last week, the national award is presented to select teachers coast-to-coast for their dedicated efforts instructing the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

For years, Mr. McT (as he is affectionately known to his students and their parents) has been at the forefront of the renowned robotics program at HHS.

“Innovation is a hallmark of who Ian is. He has taken our computer science program from one course in 2006 to a fully fledged program with courses for all grades in computer science and robotics today,” says Kelly Picken, principal of Huntsville High School, in an official statement.

Not only was he the founding teacher of Hoyas Robotics back in 2012 but he has nurtured it throughout the years and this past year, they had a 50-person team competing in the FIRST Robotics competition themed CRESCENDO.

According to the awards bio on McTavish, (he) “believes his students can achieve great things, and his mission is to help them develop their interests, skills and confidence. If he sees an opportunity to invest in a student’s growth, he takes it. His classes, workshops, and robotics teams provide welcoming spaces where students with a range of strengths and learning differences can find their niche and excel. Over the years, under Ian’s expert guidance, students from Huntsville High School have progressed from simply competing in FIRST Robotics Competitions to being provincial champions with dozens of sponsors.”

The Following is from the Awards Bio . . .

Teaching approach

Technology accelerators are famous for their “fail faster” ethos, which encourages fledgling companies to discover and overcome weaknesses quickly to achieve success sooner. Ian kicks off his classes with this phrase every year, emphasizing that true learning comes not from getting things right the first time, but from making mistakes over and over again and learning from them.

STEM in the classroom

• Teaches by having students solve design problems rather than simply talking about and explaining them
• Works tirelessly to bring digital and creative literacy to his classes to ensure students are prepared for post-secondary studies in computer science and related fields
• Uses robotics to teach a wide range of STEM skills, including mechanical design, computer-aided design, electronics, programming, 3D printing and other manufacturing techniques
• Has students in each of his classes complete a “passion project”—something they want to build, based on the curriculum and other criteria—so they are motivated to take their learning to a higher level
• Runs a robotics club with a culture of experimenting, learning from mistakes and pushing for the next level

Outstanding achievements

Partnered with medical students from the local hospital to create personal protective equipment during the pandemic, ultimately distributing more than 10,000 face shields to the community.

Started a FIRST Robotics Competition team in 2012, becoming the first teacher in the school board to oversee a robotics team.

Launched and hosted a 3-day robotics camp in 2016 to teach students new STEM skills, growing the camp into an annual event.

Created Techno Girls, an after-school program offering STEM workshops to grade 7 and 8 girls, and developed tutorials and programming for it that have since been used by more than 100 teams around the world.

Introduced the first robotics courses in his school board and travelled to 7 other high schools in the board to help them launch their own robotics teams.

Through fundraising and grant applications, secured cutting-edge equipment and machines for the school, such as a 3D printer, laser cutter, and computer numerical control (better known as CNC) router, mill and lathe.

Congratulations Mr. McT!