Tag Archive for: Washougal

Washougal, WA – Pirates will once again storm downtown Washougal for a free, family-friendly, festive community event featuring lively music, delicious food, beer garden, fire dancing, a pet parade and costume contest and more! The Pirates in the Plaza event returns for its third year on Saturday, September 15 from 2 pm – 10 pm at Reflection Plaza in downtown Washougal.  The event is sponsored by a generous donation from Mary Jane’s House of Glass and City of Washougal Lodging Tax funds.

The event coincides with the upcoming “Talk Like a Pirate Day” celebrated each September 19 and attendees are encouraged to come in pirate costume!

The evening concert will feature the musical mayhem of the Bilge Rats & Pyrettes from Portland performing at 5:30 pm and again at 7 pm.  Entertainment will also be provided by Flamebuoyant Productions, featuring belly dancers, fire dancing and more, plus Dayley Dance Academy from Washougal. For a complete schedule of the day’s activities go to cityofwashougal.us.

Presented by Downtown Washougal Association (DWA) and City of Washougal, the event proceeds will support DWA and the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS).

“The local humane society is a great organization doing such important work in our community that we are happy to help support them,” said Heena, DWA President.  “Although the event is free to attend, we hope people will come ready to have a good time and make a donation to WCGHS.”

WCGHS also brings family and pet fun to the day from 2-5 p.m.  Activities include a wading pool of plastic balls with dog treat treasures for dogs to “dive in” and find, a service dog demonstration, and photos with your dog.  A pet parade and costume contest will be held at 2:30 p.m. with winners selected for best pirate themed costume, cutest costume, and most original or unique costume.

The Vancouver Walking Club, will help kick off the day by hosting a “Talk Like A Pirate Day Walk” starting in the Pendleton parking lot between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., finishing by 4 p.m.  Walkers, invited to be in their favorite pirate costume, will walk through the heart of the city to Hathaway Park and Boat Launch then return and walk on the Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail along the levee to 54-40 Brewing and back.  The walk will include a visual treasure hunt.  The club will be accepting donations (treasures) for the West Columbia River Gorge Humane Society.  For more information go to http://www.vusav.club/.

Additional family fun will be provided by Washougal Library face painters from 3-5 p.m.

Once children and pet activities wrap up, a “grog garden” will be provided by DWA starting at 5 p.m.  The beer selection features local breweries including 54-40 Brewing, Doomsday Brewing and Grains of Wrath. The 21-year and older area will be open until 10 p.m.  Food vendors will include Washougal’s Alex Smokehouse and area food truck vendors.

Volunteers are needed!  If you’d like to help out, contact DWA at dwavolunteers@gmail.com.

For more information on more events and activities in Washougal go to www.Visitwashougal.com

Pirates in the Plaza Schedule (Times subject to change)

8:00 am–4:00 pm             Talk Like A Pirate Day Volks Walk

2:00–5:00 pm                    WCGHS Activities (Pet Parade/Costume Contest at 2:30)

3:00–5:00 pm                    Washougal Library Face Painting

5:00–10:00 pm                  Beer Garden

5:00 – 8:00 pm                  Entertainment: Dayley Dance Academy, Bilge Rats & Pyrettes, Flamebuoyant Productions.

 

Washougal, WA – Excitement is building as the 2018 Washougal Art Festival draws nearer.  Presented by Washougal Arts and Culture Alliance (WACA), the event features 26 professional regional artists and will be held Saturday,
August 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main Street, Washougal.

“We are expecting another large turnout at this year’s festival,” said Janice Ferguson, WACA President.  “Now in our third year, we have artists and community members who look forward to this annual event.  We love
transforming Washougal’s Reflection Plaza into a gallery of fine works of art.”

Wilson Cady, local birding enthusiast and artist, created the artwork that was used for the 2018 Washougal Art Festival poster and advertising.  “Wilson will be at the festival and plans to work on his current piece,” said
Ferguson.  “He is looking forward to chatting with people about his process and his inspiration.”  A limited number of signed 2018, 2017 and 2016 posters will be available for purchase at the festival for a $20 donation each.

Event proceeds will bring more public art to Washougal. This year’s festival will help fund a mural inspired by Washougal matriarch, Princess White Wing (Betsy Ough) created by renown Native American artist, Toma
Villa. The piece will be created for the outside wall of the Washougal Public Library.

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For a preview of artists selected to participate in this year’s event, visit the WACA website at www.WashougalArts.org.

They are Linda Andrew-Riggs, water color; Kathy Beckman, acrylic on canvas; Eric Berlin, handcrafted animal porcelain jewelry; Heidi Curley, mixed media; Marilyn Estenes, textile  creations and photography; Katy Fenley, handcrafted sterling silver jewelry; Chrissie Forbes, found object robot art; Anni Furniss, mixed media painting; John Furniss, wood; Vickie Green, fused glass; Cheryl Hazen, recycled mosaics; Glo Lamden-Mccollough, acrylic on canvas; Kobie Moore, painted acrylic, mixed media; Toni McCarthy, jewelry; Liz Pike, oils; John Reylea, acrylic on reclaimed wood; Christine Rice, block printing print making; Karen Reule, sterling and silver filigree jewelry; Ena Shipman, ceramics and handcrafted jewelry; Gary Suda, high fire ceramic pottery; Cyndee Starr, mixed media; Tamra Sheline, watercolor on yupo (plastic); Kiri Torre, one-of-a-kind jewelry design; Barbara Wright, watercolor, ink, colored pencil, graphite; and Beck Lipp, wood.

The festival is family-friendly and features The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party who will be offering free, fun, artistic projects for children. Another popular element of the festival is the raffle for works of art donated by participating artists.  Tickets are $5 each and visitors choose the work of art they would like the chance to win.  Raffle winners do not need to be present to win and will be given a phone call but must be available to pick up their prize by the end of the day.

New at the festival this year will be food available for purchase at the plaza.  Local restaurant, Alex Smokehouse, will be serving delicious barbeque meals and more.

While in Washougal, visitors are encouraged to discover works of public art using the WACA art map http://washougalarts.org/local-art/ which provides locations, artists name and the year for more than 30 installations around town.  Maps will be available at the raffle table.

WACA Board Members and Festival Committee members working alongside Ferguson, are Chuck Carpenter, Joyce Lindsay, Rene Carroll, Suzanne Grover, Kelli Rule, Susan Warford and Jim Cooper.

The Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Washougal Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.  Other event sponsors include The Paint Roller – Mobile Paint Party, Washougal Coffee Company and Camas Gallery.

Washougal, WA — The driving curiosity and love of history of the late Curtis Hughey continues to have a significant impact on the future of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum.

Hughey, long-time historian and 16-year president of the CWHS, passed away November 25, 2017.  His son, Mark, recently bestowed volumes of research notes and a complete second set of Camas-Washougal Homestead Records complied and organized by his father.

“It is a treasure trove of historic information,” said Brian McClatchie, CWHS Board Member and Accessions Director.  “In my opinion this research and notes are the most important records we have for telling stories of the people of Camas-Washougal.  Much of it we did not even know existed until it was dropped off for us.”

Baseball

Call 360.696.9877

Sorted alphabetically by last name, the Homestead Record notebooks cover property from Cape Horn to 192nd Ave in East Vancouver.  They feature land records, court documents, affidavits, verbatim testimony from homesteaders and their witnesses, newspaper clippings and additional family information that Hughey collected and organized.  These records have been used extensively by researchers who come to the museum for information on area families and property.

“You can look at official homestead land records, but they don’t tell the story” McClatchie said.  “It is all the rest of the information that Curtis compiled that is the most meaningful in storytelling.”

This second set of Homestead notebooks will be offered to the Clark County Historical Museum to be added to their collection.

In addition to the Homestead documents, Hughey also used excerpts from local newspapers written by and about local residents, to author and publish two books, The Good Old Days 1877-1906 and Good Old LaCamas News, 1887-1892.  “The donation included eight notebooks of historical research documentation and his notes used for writing these books,” explained McClatchie.

Born in 1929, Hughey came to Camas in 1946 with his mother to live with his grandparents.  He graduated from Camas High School that year.  He was active in civic work and was involved in the start of the Fern Prairie Fire Department.  Hughey retired from the Camas Papermill in 1991 and began dabbling in genealogy research.  He and his wife, Bev, were very active in CWHS activities and worked at the museum for many years. Hughey left the CWHS Board in early 2017 and it was McClatchie, in fact, who filled the empty seat.  “I never had the chance to meet Curtis,” McClatchie said.

Hughey’s work will be used extensively to build stories for the museum’s new Gathering Place project, a plank house-inspired pavilion to help tell stories of the Native Americans and early pioneers of the area.

“We are finding so many remarkable stories to be told from this research,” McClatchie said.  “There are even some early accounts of Dr. Parker and the founding of Parkers Landing. Curtis’ work was a true labor of love, and one that our historical society will be forever grateful for.”

Community members who have artifacts, historic documents or information that helps to tell the story of the area are encouraged to consider donating those items to the museum.  McClatchie has office hours at the museum each Friday from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. for accessioning.

“People can just give me a call or swing by and we can talk about what they have and if it would be of interest to the museum,” McClatchie offered. “I can tell pretty quickly in a conversation if it is something we’d like to accession. We need to avoid duplication and ensure items we accept have a strong tie to the area.  We appreciate community members offering us items of historic value knowing that they are often a family treasure as well.”

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in Washougal and open March through October.  Regular hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members.  Group tours are available any day of the week (by appointment only).  Call Lois Cobb 360-835-5449 for scheduling.

Join CWHS to help support additional historic presentations and preservation of local history. Membership and volunteer information will be available at the presentation.  For more information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum go to www.2rhm.com.

Hughey

Brian McClatchie, of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society.

 

Hughey

Two Rivers Heritage Museum.

Washougal, WA – Renae Burson will be the new Assistant Superintendent for the Washougal School District, effective July 1, 2018.  She has been principal at Gause Elementary since 2016.

“I am excited to continue the good work going on at Washougal School District supporting teachers, students and families but in a different capacity,” Burson said.  “I enjoyed being at Gause and working closely with students.  That every day interaction and relationship I had with them is what I will miss most.”

Burson brings broad experience in educational roles to her new position.  Prior to the principalship in Washougal, she has been a teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, an instructional coach, a K-8 principal, a curriculum coordinator, a special education director, and an AVID district director.  “This background provides a strong basis for the multi-faceted position of Assistant Superintendent,” said Mike Stromme, WSD Superintendent in a June 14 email to staff.  “Renae’s work in education reflects a passion for closing the opportunity gap and providing equitable experiences for every student.”

Burson was named the Shasta County, California Administrator of the Year in 2016, Teacher of the Year for the Mt. Lassen Math Council in 2011 and a California Distinguished Teacher in 2010.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Applied School Leadership.

“I look forward to continuing the district’s focus to meet the needs of every students,” Burson said. “Whether it is instructional materials, AVID or multi-tiered systems, it is all geared for every student’s success.”

Washougal, WA — Hathaway Elementary third grade girls got the chance to take a spin at engineering thanks to a visit by OMSI’s Pit Crew on June 5.  This OMSI imagineering program is a hands-on, inquiry-based workshop in which students use the engineering design process to solve challenges through design and testing.

Students created their own car design with a wide variety of materials supplied by OMSI.  They were expected to continue to alter their designs to complete a series of challenges including driving straight down a ramp, stopping in a target and finding ways to keep their “drivers” belted on the car.

“We want to begin inspiring these girls to pursue engineering, science and exploration and help to increase their curiosity,” said Hathaway third grade teacher, Nita Young. “They are learning too that it is ok to have your hypothesis proven wrong and to keep testing your ideas. It is exciting to hear the talk around the room.  They are working individually and together and using the right vocabulary to discuss the process.”

Student London Hickey said she has learned it is ok to keep trying at something before getting it right.  “I know to not get discouraged and to keep going for it,” she said.  “I like working to make the cars better each time.  I have not learned about these things before.”

“The first tires I used were smooth plastic and they did not work very well,” said student Tiffany Del Carlo.  “I changed them to the rubber tires and they stayed on and worked great!”

Student Charlotte Bisila worked on the challenge to secure toy people on board her car.  “It is fun to find a way to keep them safe with rubber band seat belts,” she explained. “I am testing different ways to hold them on.”

“We decided to have this be an all-girls workshop to take any competition with the boys away,” said Hathaway third grade teacher, Jaymi McQueen.  “We hope this gives the girls a greater interest in the sciences and encourages them to be a part of our Robotics Club next year. Traditionally, young girls have not been engaged in engineering. This is something extra special for third grade girls to help them get excited about this area of study.”

Engineering

Having fun.

Washougal, WA — Stepping into the Washougal High School Excelsior Building on Friday, June 8 was like stepping into a high-end restaurant with delicious made-to-order brunch food stations as WHS Advanced Culinary students showed their skills preparing food and serving eager staff and students.

“The goal of this project was to have these students perform in a work situation under pressure,” said CTE Culinary teacher at WHS, Brenda Hitchins.  “They all did very well, and it was a success!”

WHS Principal Aaron Hansen was a huge fan of the event and the food.  “This practice is taking the students to a whole new level of experience and culinary delights!” he said between bites.

The project began with students creating a survey to discover what menu items WHS staff and student body would prefer.  In addition, each station had a survey to collect diner feedback.  According to Hitchins, students were also working to test some action stations to showcase on Thursday the 14th (omelets) and Friday the 15th (pasta).

“We were a bit challenged by the time constraint of the classes,” she said. “Students prepped the items the day before and had 25 minutes to set up the stations the day of.  Because of the success of the event and all the mouths to feed, we went over the time, but the teachers excused them from their next class.”

“We are so proud of our students and the success of the program” says Margaret Rice, CTE Director for Washougal School District. “It is truly a team effort and if not for the support of all the WHS staff, we wouldn’t be able to pull it off.”

Senior Austin Jandreau seemed in his element as he efficiently took customers’ orders and prepared a stir fry dish with his station partner, Nate Beaver.  “I have always loved cooking,” he admitted.  “I have been cooking with my mom since I was seven.”  And there appears to be no end in sight with Jandreau planning to attend Clark College and study Culinary Arts.  The end goal is to someday have his own bar or bakery.

Jandreau enjoyed the live action of this experience and the positive feedback he was receiving from students he served.  The duo had to think quickly when the meat component to their menu item ran out before the time was up.  “We just changed our offer to a veggie stir fry and everyone was happy,” said Jandreau.

 

Culinary

WHS principal, Aaron Hansen, views the food being served.

“The take way from the event was the students showed they had skills to handle pressure situations, practice all the skills they have learned this semester and walk away with a sense of pride that they gave back to the school community,” Hitchins said. “We are fortunate to have the funding from CTE and the students’ fees to support these events.  Our next event is the Senior Tea in which the Baking and Pastry class will make all the food and students from all classes have an opportunity to volunteer to set up, serve and clean up.”

“With this type of real world practice these kids can go to any local restaurant and have pertinent experience to share on a resume and in an interview,” Hansen said.

Hansen then took a moment to look out at the tables filled with students at the Excelsior Building commons sampling the cuisine prepared by their peers.

“Just look at them! They are waiting patiently for their order, they are sitting at the tables engaged in conversation,” he said. “Phones are not out.  The kids are enjoying each other as they eat.  I think food does that.”

Culinary

Preparing the food.

 

Culinary

Serving guests.

Washougal School District and Unite! Washougal Community Coalition have announced the two winners of the Washougal Middle School Poster Contest Winners:

  • Trinity Nicholson, 7thGrade, Canyon Creek Middle School
  • Skye Miller, 7thGrade, Canyon Creek Middle School

The theme for the 2018 poster contest was “Everyday Heroes Unite!” and middle school students from Washougal were asked to create an original poster using this theme for the citywide contest.

Members of Unite! Washougal Community Coalition selected the two grand prize winners and the six Honorable Mentions at their April 2018 community meeting. The Honorable Mention recipients are:

  • Mia Lockard, 6thGrade, Canyon Creek Middle School
  • Claire Zakovics, 6thGrade, Jemtegaard Middle School
  • Isabella Albaugh, 6thGrade, Jemtegaard Middle School
  • Kaylee Browning, 6thGrade, Canyon Creek Middle School
  • Emily Wade, 6thGrade, Jemtegaard Middle School
  • Jada’lynn Iriarte, 6thGrade, Jemtegaard Middle School
Poster

Skye Miller’s Heroes submission.

 

“All of the entries depicted the theme ‘Everyday Heroes Unite!’ very well. It is clear that our youth realize that heroes do not need capes or super human powers to make a difference. Our youth understand that ordinary people, including themselves, can show acts of kindness towards others,” noted Megan Kanzler, Youth Engagement Coordinator for Unite! Washougal and the Washougal School District.

Trinity Nicholson’s submission will be used as the new logo for the middle school and high school prevention club – HEROES Unite! All of the artwork submitted in the contest will be distributed to local schools, our public library, government offices and other community locations.

“We look forward to next year’s poster contest and encourage all who entered this year to participate again next year” offered Kanzler. She added an invitation to all Washougal citizens, “Let us all do our part in being everyday heroes to help those around us.”

by Megan Kanzler

Washougal WA — Camas and Washougal community members are being asked to help make an impact on the lives of school families who need a little help with summer meals.  IMPACT CW (Camas-Washougal), organized by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal, will be held on Sunday, June 10 from 11am to 2pm at Parker’s Landing Historic Park at the Port of Camas-Washougal, to collect donations and fill food boxes.

“We are asking the community to drive up and drop off their food donations,” said Beth Raetz, Impact CW Committee Member and Church Office Secretary. “If they can, we’d love to have them stop for a while, help fill boxes, enjoy a free BBQ lunch and listen to an outdoor concert by the Camas-Washougal Community Orchestra.”

St. Matthew Pastor Bob Barber started the event and continues to be a driving force. According to Raetz, the event grew from a sermon series “Be the Difference,” which culminated in going shopping and packing boxes during the Sunday morning worship service for the first event.  Barber is the 2018 Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce’s selection for Citizen of the Year.

Although many people are conditioned to make food donations around the holidays, Raetz explains that there is another critical need at this time of year.  “We are targeting families in the schools who receive free breakfast and free lunches and are a part of the backpack programs,” she said. “When school stops for summer those meals end.  These kids may get into a summer meal program but there could be several weeks before they start.  These meals will help to bridge that gap.  It just gives them a boost.”

Now in its fourth year, IMPACT CW is growing. “This year we are continuing to invite groups to get involved and help out,” said Raetz.  “We have high school students working on their community service hours, scout troops, church groups, businesses and families volunteering to help.  It is so wonderful to see families from little ones to big ones all helping to fill up boxes.”

Once the boxes are filled, they will be packed in a U-haul truck and on Monday morning will be delivered to Camas and Washougal schools who will then connect the boxes with families in need.

Schools are currently working to identify those families who could use some help.  “Last year we made 140 boxes,” said Raetz. “This year we expect the need will grow to 200.”

Non-perishable food donations can be made in advance of the event and dropped off at St. Matthew Lutheran Church at 716 Washougal River Road ,Tuesday through Friday from 9:30am to 1:00pm.  Financial contributions can be made through www.gofundme.com/impactcw or checks made out to St. Matthew Lutheran Church.

For more information, contact Raetz at the church office at 360-835-5533.

Washougal, WA — Robert Knight, President of Clark College, addressed the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club Thursday morning on the benefits of community colleges, as well as plans for the school’s future. Rotarians also recognized Camas High School sophomore, Yozen Fang, for his academic achievements.

In his speech, Knight said he’s pleased with the strength of Clark College, which was established in 1933.

“The way we teach is changing,” said Knight. “And, our teachers are some of the best out there — I know our students are getting a quality education.”

He said two-year colleges like Clark address a demographic of youth that aren’t ready for the size of four-year universities.

“We get them ready, and with our small class sizes, around 20 students per class, teachers get to know the students by name,” said Knight. “And, as parents we’re saving you a lot of money. They’re getting the same quality education as they would at a large university for these first two years. They’re the same classes. Then you can go on to become a Duck, a Beaver, a Huskie, or a Cougar.”

He also discussed the growing demand for vocational education, and wants to change the attitude toward trades.

“Parents need to know there’s a growing demand for these kinds of jobs, and they need to know they’re paid high wages,” said Knight. “So we’re working on changing those perceptions. We also need to think about going to school year-round, instead of taking summers off. That’s a old way of thinking.”

Additional points:

  • Clark College owns several acres of land to build a northern campus in Ridgefield, of I-5 exit 14. The school bought the land several years ago, and is getting the funding to build there.
  • Clark College Columbia Tech Center Campus is a big success, and helps students in Camas, Washougal and East Vancouver get to Running Start classes quickly.
  • The Running Start program has 2,400 students.

Yozen Fang

Rotarians also honored Yozen Fang, a soft-spoken Camas High School sophomore, as their club’s Student of the Month, for his academic achievements.

“Students are always given praise by staff,” said Rotarian, Ron Carlson. “According to your teachers, Yozen, they say you’re an inspiration to the work ethic of CHS. Your ability to experience defeat and never give up is amazing. You are very successful, and … you are slowly … shedding some of your shyness in the school. Another teacher said ‘underneath that quiet exterior is a sharp and witty mind. He diligently works on his work and is faithful to every teammate he works on in his research projects. While he is quiet, his math work is excellent. He is very talented, very bright.’”

Fang writes in Japanese using highly skilled terms.

Fang said he loves to go on long walks, and read.

Rotary

Camas High School sophomore, Yozen Fang, was recognized as the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club’s Student of the Month at the group’s weekly meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Washougal, WA — High school education is often multidimensional.  For Washougal High School senior, Ulysses Ramel, his interest and skill in 3-dimensional printing helped him to broaden his expertise while he developed opportunities for other students to learn how to create 3D projects.

Ramel made positive and negative 3D mold examples for use in a new unit of instruction in the WHS Baking and Pastry class.  He also wrote step-by-step instructions for students to create a positive mold using class software.  This work, and the passion he exhibited to help others learn, earned him recognition in the 2018 Clark County Youth Commission’s Youth Achievement Award for education.

In the nomination submitted by WHS Librarian Hillary Marshall, she said his expertise helped her to teach and reach more WHS students.  “Ulysses demonstrated perseverance as Chef Hitchins and I were creating a brand-new unit of study and he created multiple molds as examples. His attention to detail was exceptional as he explained why designs worked or failed and helped me to understand the software, so I could deliver clearer instruction.”

“I was happy and surprised to receive this award,” Ramel said.  “I like sharing my knowledge about 3D printing and helping other students to have the fun of creating something new.  It is a nice feeling to make something for people to see.”

“Ulysses is helpful and wants to share his knowledge of 3D printing,” said Marshall.  “He is kind and approachable so working with him is encouraging.  He helped me giggle my way through learning a software tool that was uncomfortable and foreign to me, so that I could gain confidence under his guidance and deliver a clear, concise lesson to the Baking and Pastry class.”

Ramel is a student at the Cascadia Tech Academy Pre-Engineering program where he refined his knowledge of 3D printing.  His skills were put to the test when he was asked to help assemble the school’s 3D printer.  “By assembling it, I now understand the concepts of how it works so I can see how to work around mistakes and improve the product,” he explained. “Once you know how something works, you know more about how to fix an error.”

Beyond his Cascadia projects, Ramel has also created 3D key chains and drink coasters for the WHS Unified Sports to help the team promote itself.

Ramel is Filipino and arrived in Washougal during his freshman year from the Philippines.  At that time, he could understand some English language but was not able to speak it well. Now he plans to join the Air Force and go on to college for a degree in mechanical engineering.

“I am pleased Ulysses is receiving this Youth Achievement Award,” Marshall said.  “I wanted to recognize his talents and encourage his efforts and help him reach his dream of a career in engineering.  Ulysses is humble about his talents, but they need to be highlighted.”

“I did not expect to get an award for this,” Ramel said with a smile. “It makes me proud.”

 

Ramel

Ulysses Ramel received the Youth Achievement Award in Education for his work in 3D printing.