Biography:
Gary Bolyard received his B.A. from Fairmont State College and his M.A. in Technology Education from West Virginia University. He taught in the public schools in West Virginia for 15 years prior to coming to Fairmont State in 1984. He teaches Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation, Communication, Tech Design & Problem solving, Technology & Society, Organization Administration and Methods courses.
While at Fairmont State, he has participated in several grant projects including developing high school technology education curriculum for the West Virginia Department of Education, working with West Virginia University and California University of Pennsylvania on the ATEC project funded by the United States Office of Education where eight Technology/Math/Science teaching modules were published and running an Electric Powered Vehicle Project for Allegheny Energy Company in which he drove an electric vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company in the 1994 American Tour De Sol Electric Vehicle Race. His team placed first of 63 entries. His most recent grant was to set up a design and production center at Fairmont State for the Jaguar Formula One in Schools project. He has also presented at numerous state and national Technology Education conferences and workshops.
Gary’s family includes his wife, Cathy; a daughter, Leigh Anne, who is a student at Fairmont State; and their Labrador, Cody.
What have you learned while teaching at Fairmont State?:
When I come to work, I find that every new day presents new challenges and opportunities to work with creative young people and mold them into prospective technology teachers.
What do students like best about your class?:
We do fun, challenging and innovative hands-on activities that reinforce concepts and improve students technological literacy.
