NEWS

5 questions for Scarsdale teacher Christine Boyer

Mareesa Nicosia
mnicosia@lohud.com
  • Scarsdale teacher instilling a "maker philosophy" in fifth-grade classroom
  • Maker Expo planned at Heathcote Elementary this spring
  • Boyer: Kids learn innovation, risk-taking, collaboration
Scarsdale teacher Christine Boyer

Christine Boyer teaches fifth grade at Heathcote Elementary School in the Scarsdale school district. She is leading a "maker revolution" in her classroom and school to expose students to hands-on learning and technology.

Q. What is the Maker Expo you are organizing for this spring?

A. It's an array of vendors and STEAM-focused (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) workshops for Heathcote students on coding, animation, design, building, 3D printing, creating with found objects, Lego robotics and more. We'll have local experts from the Digital Arts Experience in White Plains teaching the workshops in addition to parents, teachers and even a recent graduate who is a furniture designer. We're starting small because it's the first one we've ever done. We have this whole "maker" philosophy that we're trying to create in Scarsdale.

Q. What made you want to nurture a "maker philosophy" in your school and district?

A. It's got the kids thinking in all different ways. We have some children now working in the maker space (at Heathcote) who have never held a screwdriver before. Now they're saying, "Righty tighty, lefty loosey." It's this real-world experience. You're learning while you're doing. The more they're able to experience something with their whole bodies, it makes more sense. ... The kids are coming in smarter every year and we just want to rise to the challenge and keep them moving forward. Every time we raise the bar, the kids just reach it. It's amazing.

Q. When and where is the Maker Expo?

A. May 30, 2015, starting at 10 a.m. at Heathcote Elementary School in Scarsdale.

Q. Tell me a little about yourself and your family.

A. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and now I live in Eastchester. I have two boys, an eighth-grader and a fourth-grader. My whole love of building goes back to their love of Legos.

Q. Why did you go into teaching and how long have you been doing it?

A. I like being with kids, I like creating, I like being able to make a lot of choices within what's happening in the classroom. My love of history, science ... it all comes together. I've taught elementary school for about 18 years at Scarsdale, and about 20 years total.

Twitter: @MareesaNicosia