It is an amazing honor to be recognized for the Presidential Award in Science, and a testament to the outstanding teachers and inspiring students that have influenced me in my profession. Their support and eagerness to learn invigorates me to innovate and explore in the classroom. To be excited about what you do is the magic that transforms classrooms into an exploratorium, and makes the ordinary, extraordinary.

Bryan Silver Honolulu, HI | 7-12, Science, 2015

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Bryan Silver has been an educator for 16 years teaching Industrial Engineering Design, Drafting Technology I+II, and Engineering at Kalani High School. Bryan is currently taking professional development classes at NASA, Ames Research Center; Project Lead The Way, and Unmanned Ariel Vehicle Training/Design. Through project-based learning activities, his classes are non-stop activities and possibilities. Students explore and implement a design process when they develop automats using 3D modeling software, analysis, and building prototypes. Advanced students take these skills to new heights designing stage rockets, pedal cars, and 50x20ft bridges. Bryan runs the afterschool robotic programs in VEX, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics, and the Real-world Design Challenge. The teams have competed in international championships for seven years. Bryan has guided students to develop a micro-robot business, to run camps, to host tournaments, and to conduct outreach, including retrofitting a trailer to be a Mobile STEM Center. The aim is to bring STEM to communities and schools that do not have access to this experience. Bryan earned a B.A. in archaeology and religious studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Post Baccalaureate in education for social studies and special education from the University of Hawai’i, Manoa. He has certifications in science and career technical education.

Know a great teacher like Bryan Silver?