Lydia Knopp

Knopp’s innovative teaching idea, “KSSB Accessible STEM Instruction,” is comprised of a van full of accessible Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities designed to deliver technology to students at the school’s residential campus and across the state. Every month, the van will travel to school districts throughout Kansas to introduce STEM activities to rural communities, especially those districts with at least one visually impaired student who may not otherwise have access to such materials. Activities include adapted and accessible coding, robotics, electric circuits, engineering Rube Goldberg Machines and introductions to assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired like braille, large print, screen magnification and speech output devices. The Voya Unsung Heroes grant will be used to purchase supplies, upgrade equipment and supplement travel expenses.