Rick Crosslin wins TechPoint Foundation for Youth Bridge Builder Award

TechPoint Foundation for Youth is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has selected Rick Crosslin, Scientist in Residence, MSD of Wayne Township, as the 2016 Bridge Builder Award recipient.

The award will be presented to Mr. Crosslin during the Mira Awards gala at The Westin on April 23rd. The Mira Awards is an annual program that recognizes the best of tech in Indiana and is produced by TechPoint, a sister organization to the TechPoint Foundation for Youth.

Rick Crosslin has received numerous awards recognizing his impact on Indiana students, most notably including: 2015 Eli Lilly Creative Teaching Award, 2011 Society of Professional Journalism Best Medial/Science Reporting, 2009 Emmy for Indiana Expeditions Children’s Science Programing, 2008 Interstate Mining Compact Commission National Educator, 2005 Emmy for Technical Achievement , 2004 Indiana University School of Education Distinguished Alumni, 2001 Christa McAuliffe Fellow, 1999 Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Inc. Distinguished Service Award, 1998 Milken National Educator Award, 1990 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science.

“Rick Crosslin has been impacting the lives of Indiana students and educators in Indiana for over 40 years,” said Laura Dodds, Executive Director of TechPoint Foundation for Youth. “He will always be a celebrity in my mind, I consider him Indiana’s very own Bill Nye. The Foundation Board and I feel the Bridge Builder Award is just one way Indiana can say thank you to this amazing educator for all he has done to inspire the next generation of scientists.”

The Bridge Builder Award is given annually to an individual, program, or organization that has transformed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for Indiana’s students who are typically underrepresented in those same industries.

Rick Crosslin has been chosen to receive this award in recognition of his lengthy history of making science fun, exciting, and approachable for nearly 90,000 Indiana students, with an estimated 65% from underrepresented populations. Rick’s motto, “Don’t take my word for it. This is science — try it yourself,” has resonated with students and teachers from around the state as he blends his knowledge of STEM content with humor and excitement.

Crosslin an Indiana State University grad with a B.S. in Elementary Education later received his Masters of Science in the field from Indiana University. Crosslin has spent his career in education leaving his mark on The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, MSD of Wayne Township, and inspiring thousands upon thousands with his multi-part series, Indiana Expeditions, produced by WFYI public television.

Today, Indiana Expeditions boasts 19 episodes and 2 specials, “Forests at Work” and “Wings Across Indiana.” Indiana Expeditions has been described as “a journey to discover how real science impacts our everyday lives,” and has quickly become a must-see for not only the kids it was intended to serve, but also their parents. In addition to Indiana Expeditions, Crosslin’s work has been viewed more than 177,000 times on his YouTube channel, Rick Crosslin Science, where teachers can view his lesson plans in action and replicate them in their own classrooms.

“I am thrilled to be given the 2016 Bridge Builder Award from TechPoint Foundation for Youth,” said Rick Crosslin, “it is a privilege to do what I do, and I am often having as much fun as the kids I am teaching.”

Rick Crosslin lives in Danville, Indiana, with his wife Brenda, with whom he has three grown children. Rick was born and raised on US Air Force bases around the world and attributes his passion for STEM to his desire to understand that world. When Rick is not inspiring young minds, he can be found traveling to discover new experiences to share with students of all ages.

About TechPoint Foundation For Youth: (www.TechPointYouth.org)
In its 15th year as the leader in technology education efforts for the state of Indiana, TechPoint Foundation for Youth is committed to providing our state’s K-12 students, especially those typically underrepresented in STEM industry, with equal opportunities to explore hands-on STEM learning opportunities. We believe that Indiana’s youth should not only be equipped to address the growing demand for a skilled STEM workforce, but also inspired to do so. We have, and continue to be, the leader in connecting youth serving organizations, STEM programs, and STEM industry for the benefit of Indiana’s student populations. We are Growing Indiana’s Future.

Browse photos from the event in TechPoint’s Facebook albums and watch videos on TechPoint’s YouTube channel.

The Mira Awards — named after a variable star thousands of times brighter than the Earth’s sun — represent the best of tech in Indiana each year.