Crossfield Elementary Librarian Heather Baucum Honored with VAASL Ignite Award for Innovative Service Learning Project

Crossfield Elementary is proud to announce that Heather Baucum, our esteemed librarian, has been recognized with the Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) Ignite Award. Heather is the first-ever elementary-level recipient of this prestigious award, acknowledging her outstanding service learning research project.

The VAASL Ignite Award recognizes impactful projects that make a difference in the community. Heather's project, undertaken in collaboration with fifth-grade students, focused on creating adaptive and accessible technology for individuals with disabilities. The project took inspiration from the LAMP (Language Acquisition through Motor Programming) approach and aimed to enhance communication skills for students with limited speech.

Heather and her students embarked on a remarkable journey, leveraging their knowledge of computer science, 3D design, and printing. They collaborated with Assistive Technology Services (ATS) after discovering a tweet about 3D printed stamps aiding communication based on the LAMP approach. This partnership led to the creation of 22 LAMP stamps, including words such as "go," "make," and "help."

The project expanded its impact by gifting ATS with eight sets of stamps, supporting over 60 schools across Fairfax County. Recognizing the growing need, Heather and her students advocated for additional 3D printers, successfully pitching their case to a local CAD class.

Heather's dedication and the students' innovative spirit not only created tangible tools for communication but also fostered empathy and understanding among the students. Through hands-on experiences, they learned about assistive communication devices and engaged with neurodiverse peers, breaking down barriers and building bridges of compassion.

This exceptional project demonstrates Crossfield Elementary's commitment to inclusive education and the development of young minds with a strong sense of empathy. Heather Baucum's achievement reflects the school's dedication to fostering a supportive and compassionate learning environment.