Elementary Robotics: Sustaining the Natural Engineering Instincts of Children
John is currently Technology Coordinator at the Williamsburg Elementary Schools.  For the last eight years, he has designed and implemented an innovative technology curriculum that provides deep, rich, engaging technology experiences integrated with standards and curriculum.  Key projects have included multimedia, robotics, video game programming, and animation.   In 2008, John received the MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators) Pathfinder Award for Technology Leadership. John has been a educational technology consultant for the Collaborative for Educational Services and a third grade classroom teacher and a  Principal Software Engineer for Digital Equipment Corporation.   John earned BSEE and MSEE/CS degrees from Tufts in 1981 and 1983 and a Masters of Education degree from Lesley College in 1992.  He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in math, science, and learning technologies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.   John is a current member of the Lego Education Advisory Panel.  He coaches soccer, baseball, and basketball and has a seven-year old son Aidan.  When not playing with robots, John enjoys animal tracking, doing dog agility with his two whippets, juggling, and playing bluegrass music.  He blogs at http://www.jheffernan.com/ and http://www.kidsengineer.com/.