[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1026-E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. MICHELLE KAVANAUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 16, 2020

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Michelle Kavanaugh. Dr. Kavanaugh was the Founding Director, President, 
and Acting Executive of the Western New York Science Technology 
Engineering Math (STEM) Hub. The WNY STEM Hub mobilizes schools and 
stakeholders to develop, nurture, and maximize interest in STEM-focused 
careers through hands-on, one of a kind experiences.
  Dr. Kavanaugh's inspiring career in education began with her position 
as a principal in Sweet Home Central School District. She later became 
the Assistant Superintendent for Lockport City Schools and then the 
Superintendent of Plattsburgh City Schools and Honeoye Falls-Lima 
Central School Districts. Dr. Kavanaugh served as President of the 
start-up WNY STEM Hub from 2013 to 2019, translating her experience in 
school administration to a program that seeks to foster a love of STEM 
learning in students across the Buffalo-Niagara region. She believes 
that learning about and experimenting with science, technology, 
engineering, and math as young adults can foster a lifelong commitment 
to learning and dedication to making a difference in the future.
  Under her leadership, WNY STEM Hub's capacity to change lives through 
learning was especially evident in the ``Hand in Hand'' program 
launched in 2017. This rich learning experience engages students to 
design prosthetic hands for local children in need using 3D printing 
technology, biomedical design, leadership development, disability 
awareness and conversations with professionals in related fields. 
Everyone involved--from students to teachers to mentors to recipient 
children, including children from Africa--are changed by this program 
that puts service learning at its center. Dr. Kavanaugh's commitment, 
energy and vision infused this lesson in learning to help others 
including the smiles and tears of gratitude from the children and their 
families who received their hands in a celebratory program.
  One of the most successful programs for WNY STEM Hub students focused 
on developing experiments ready to be tested by astronauts at the 
International Space Station during their Take Flight--Space Experiments 
Project. As an early and enthusiastic supporter of WNY STEM Hub, I was 
especially thrilled to join in honoring three Buffalo Public School 
students in 2017 who won a competition through the Student Spaceflight 
Experiments Program and partnered with NASA to test their experiment in 
outer space. The female middle school students' project ``Tuber Growth 
in Microgravity'' questioned the ability for potatoes to grow at the 
International Space Station, earning the students the nickname ``Spud 
Launchers.''
  Most importantly and to Dr. Kavanaugh's credit, these ``life-
altering'' and ``out of this

[[Page E1027]]

world'' programs were not retired when she took her much deserved 
retirement but have continued on under new and equally committed 
leadership as this organization works to be accessible to female and 
minority students, who have traditionally been underrepresented in the 
STEM world. The vision of WNY STEM Hub is to create an environment 
where students of all backgrounds and genders can maximize their 
individual potential. Dr. Kavanaugh has truly dedicated herself to this 
mission through her determination to inspire local youth and encourage 
adults to share their time and talent. Under her leadership, involved 
students serve as evidence and inspiration that the Buffalo Niagara 
region can prepare some of the best U.S. scientists and engineers for 
our nation's future.
  Thank you, Madam Speaker, for allowing me to acknowledge Dr. Michelle 
Kavanaugh's inspiring career here as she was recognized for her 
significant contributions at the WNY STEM Hub Annual Meeting on 
November 10, 2020. We are truly indebted to her for ensuring increasing 
opportunities and a brighter future for Western New York's students.

                          ____________________