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Brian Copes teaches engineering and career and technical education at Chickasaw High School in Chickasaw, Alabama. Mr. Copes’ distinctive approach to education is project-based learning, which seeks to integrate STEM skills into programs that benefit the community. For example, past students designed inexpensive vehicles for assembly in remote world locations using ordinary hand tools. These students won the Basic Utility Vehicle competition in various categories over the course of consecutive years. Another successful project led by Mr. Copes was the design and manufacture of inexpensive prosthetic limbs which students then fitted to patients in countries such as Honduras. This work is particularly important because 80 percent of all amputees live in developing countries. Among many other awards, Mr. Copes received the 2015 Presidential Volunteer Service Award and was named the 2018 Life Changer of the Year. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in industrial technology education/technology education/vocational education.  

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Brian Copes