Robert Simpson
"A flat world requires educators to effectively integrate curriculum and technology to meet the needs of our 21st-century students."
At a glance
- Director, Teacher Learning Center
- Malden Public Schools
- Malden, MA
Professional and educational biography
An analytical chemist working as an educational technologist, Robert uses his scientific training and technology skills to build new learning environments that help students and teachers explore the educational power of the Internet. Since 1999, Robert has been working on an innovative professional development model—one that, through the creation of web-based Project-Based Units (PBUs), provides teams of K-12 educators and college faculty with the skills and methods necessary to effectively integrate district curriculum standards with information technology.
A highlight is the Saugus Iron Works Great Adventure PBU, which enables fifth graders to learn about colonial history, science, and technology through the lens of the local Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. By leveraging Adobe software products—such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Flash, and Adobe Presenter—the PBUs have engaged learners and steadily increased year-over-year student achievement in science and technology.
Robert’s collaboration with a team of fifth grade teachers won the HP Technology for Teaching Leadership grant at NECC 2006. The grant will put wireless tablet computers in the hands of elementary students and help teachers align technology training with ISTE’s National Education Technology Standards.
Robert presents at many conferences, including the National Science Teachers Association conference.
Websites and publications
- TRITEC PBU Builder database
- Saugus Iron Works Great Adventure PBU
- Saugus Iron Works Blog
- Voices Rising Project
- “Mystery Rocks and Marvelous Machines” — Educational Leadership, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Fiducia, C., Keroack, E., Simpson, R. (Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007)
- “Saugus Iron Works User Guide 2nd Edition” — Malden Public Schools, Massachusetts. Simpson, R. (Jan. 2005)
- “Working with Project-Based Units DVD” — Project iTEACH, Tri-City Education Collaborative (2004)
