Genzyme-Life Technologies
Biotech Educator Award

 

Previous Winners
2010 application to come!
2009 application
PDF Word

Nomination deadline to be announced.

 

The Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award identifies a premier group of biotechnology teachers who bring the excitement, promise, and cutting-edge research of biotechnology to their classrooms. They represent the outstanding biotechnology Teacher-Leaders who have participated in the Institute’s National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. These teachers serve as models for their colleagues and lead the improvement of biotechnology education. They provide an impressive array of expertise to help improve teaching and learning while becoming more deeply involved in activities such as curriculum materials selection, research, and teaching other teachers. the award was established in 2004 by the Biotechnology Institute and is co-sponsored by Genzyme Corporation and Life Technologies Corporation.

Eligibility

  • certified teachers who are assigned to Grades 9 to 12 science classrooms in a public or private school 
  • teachers with at least five years of teaching experience.
  • National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program alumni.
  • teachers who are full-time employees of their school districts.
  • previous first, second, and third-place Biotech Educator Awardees are not eligible.

Round I

A selection committee from the Washington, DC, area comprised of scientists, teacher representatives, science educators (museums, nonprofits), industry representatives, and community leaders reviews the application packets in Round I and makes recommendations to the Biotechnology Institute for up to 10 finalists to attend the national competition based upon

  • proven leadership and excellence as a teacher,
  • commitment to furthering the teaching of biotechnology by outreach to other teachers and,
  • development of innovative way(s) to teach biotechnology.

Round II

A panel of judges will decide the winners.  Each finalist will have a ten-minute opportunity to provide a short presentation and discuss his or her Teacher-Leader experience with the judging panel. The judges will carefully review the application of each finalist.  The panel will identify the first, second, and third place awardees in the national competition.

The Award

The Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award includes:

1. Awards

  • First Place: $10,000 (US).
  • Second Place: $5,000 (US).
  • Third Place: $2,500 (US).
  • Honorable Mention for the remaining seven finalists: each will receive a $1,000 gift certificate from Life Technologies.
  • Finalists will receive a personalized plaque identifying him/her as a Biotechnology Institute Biotech Educator Awardee.
  • Travel to the Institute's Conference on Biology Education and lodging for three nights and meals. (See application for details.)
  • Complimentary full admission to the BIO International Convention.
  • Complimentary admission to the Biotechnology Institute’s Biotechnology Education Awards  Banquet

2.  Recognition:

  • An awards presentation at the Biotechnology Institute’s Biotechnology Education Awards  Banquet.
  • Opportunity to present in the Best Practices Day of the National Biotechnology Education Teacher-Leader Program.
  • The first place winner will be recognized at a  plenary luncheon of the BIO International Convention.

 

2009 Awardees

 

Dave Menshew (center) of James C. Enochs High School in Modesto, CA, receives the first place award from Henry Darnell of Genzyme Corporation (left)) and Heather Ace of Life Technologies Corporation.

Second-place: Tamica Stubbs. E.E. Waddell High School, Charlotte, NC.

Third-place: Ericka Senegar-Mitchell, Junipero Serra High School, San Diego, CA.

Other finalists for the 2009 Genzyme-Life Technologies Biotech Educator Award were:

  • Kacia Cain, East High School, Des Moines, IA
  • Cheryl Coronado, Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, VA
  • Ada Harvey, Flagler Palm Coast High School, Palm Coast, FL
  • Pamela Johnston, Alexander Central High School, Taylorsville, NC
  • Amy Martin, Creekview High School, Canton, GA
  • Mark Temons, Muncy High School, Muncy, PA
  • Joan White, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, Chicago, IL