2004 National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Award Finalist - noel mellon

noel mellon

2004 National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Award Finalist
Mount Carmel High School
San Diego, CA


Second place finalist Noel Mellon
(center) joins Paul Hanle (left) and
Elliott Hillback, Jr. of Genzyme after
receiving her award.

Teaching is my second career: I worked in the biotech industry before becoming a teacher eight years ago. As I learned the science department curriculum for my first biology class, I was surprised at how little biotechnology was taught at our school in San Diego, although we were in a biotech-rich community. Through our principal I found support for creating a new course to include biotechnology. This preliminary work allowed our school to apply for a grant through the state department of education, and the work of transforming science education at our school began. The birth of the Biomed/Biotech Program saw training and professional development opportunities for biology and chemistry teachers. We reviewed a lot of the curriculum already out there, and created our own curriculum. Students filled our newly-created course, Human Biology, articulated with a nearby community college. Now, students further their knowledge in our advanced Biotech course, and have participated in Internships at nearby biotech companies.

Although I did have biotech experience before teaching, I feel I learned as much as other teachers by attending the Biotechinstitute and BIO conferences. Applying for the Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Award was a valuable experience in itself. Through the video component Ireflected on ways to improve my teaching. Meeting the other finalists and judges was amazing: I learned so much about other programs and was uplifted. Spending time with the other award winners, excellent and experienced teachers who love biotech as much as I do, inspired me! One of the judges from Genzyme was especially encouraging, and I often reflect on her advice.

A website for our school’s biotech program was created with the award money. The website contains a program description and all the curriculum we developed for the program, available for anyone around the world who would like to use it, or modify it to suit their needs.

In addition to running the program at my school and teaching, I serve on two area committees that provide longer summer learning experiences and internships to both students and teachers. I have met even more encouraging industry professionals through these programs, andI hope toinspire other teachers to dive in and start teaching biotech at their schools.

April, 2005