Science and multimedia technology teacher D. Scott Batchelder uses innovative lesson plans to draw parents, staff and community professionals into his classroom at Mirror Lake Middle School in Chugiak. He directs an astronaut training program that gives students a chance to build a space station at the local high school pool using robotics and scuba diving air systems; the project culminates with the students constructing and launching Estes rockets. Mr. Batchelder developed the Digital Environmental Archive, a joint project in which students collaborate with members of the Eklutna native village and professionals from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to evaluate environmental health. His class also works with the USGS to research the recent mutation of bills among chickadees in the area. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Batchelder coaches the Science Olympiad and is pursuing an administrative credential.
1978 Oklahoma State University, B.S.
