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Delta High School Announced as Science Champion

March 28

Pacific Science Center’s 2011-2012 Science

Champions Announced;

Washington State LASER – a program of Pacific Science Center – 

Announces Recipients of the 2011-2012 Science Champions:

 Science Education Advocate Awards

SEATTLE – MARCH 27, 2012 – Washington State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER), a program co-led by Pacific Science Center and Battelle, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2011-2012 Science Champions: Science Education Advocate Awards. From a U.S. Senator to a high school in the Tri-Cities area, this year’s recipients are passionate supporters of advancing science education in Washington state and beyond.

According to President Obama, when students excel in math and science, they help America compete for the jobs and industries of the future. This year’s Science Champions are making it their mission to help more young people succeed in these critical subjects.

Each year, with support from The Boeing Company, Washington State LASER recognizes five individuals, organizations and/or project teams who have gone above and beyond by promoting the importance of science education among the general public and/or the education system.  This year we are proud to recognize Battelle as a sponsor. 

Among the recipients of the prestigious  Science Champions Awards, is U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell who has always been an advocate for legislation that focuses on providing resources to students, schools, and programs that need the most help training students for the careers of the future.

Cantwell stresses that science education is critically important to our economic future and global competitiveness, and the key to creating high-wage jobs.

That’s why Cantwell’s fellow award recipients Kelly Edwards andMike Townare committed to helping students find their niche in science whether that means pursuing a career in the STEM fields or simply understanding the fundamentals of science and its implications.

Edwards,Associate Professor, University of Washington, wants to reach new generations of people via social media.

“The idea of the ‘ivory tower’ days of the academy is dead – we have a responsibility to engage more broadly, and indeed will do better work if we do,” said Edwards.

As a high school science instructor, Mike Town’s vision for the future of science education in Washington state is specific: To promote STEM literacy and inspire students to seek advanced opportunities in STEM fields.

The same can be said for the organizational awardees; Delta High School is committed to preparing students in the Tri-Cities area for college degrees and careers in STEM-related fields, while the North Olympic Library Systempromotes the importance of science education among the general public bycollecting science materials and offering community-based provides science programming on an ongoing basis.

“The recipients this year reflect the wide range of advocacy that is being done in our state,” said Sonia Siegel Vexler, interim co-director of Washington State LASER. “From the federal level, to the classroom to a community institution, they are helping students to see that science is not only all around them, but that it is important to their lives today and will continue to be important in their future.”

Efforts at all levels of science education - including early learner, K-12, vocational, undergraduate, graduate, adult, and informal/public science education - were eligible for consideration.

This year’s award was given to three individuals and two organizations.Awardees received $5,000 each to be donated to the not-for-profit public education entity of their choice for use in its efforts on behalf of science education. The monetary reward as well as funding for the awards process was generously provided by The Boeing Company and Battelle.

Recipients will be recognized on May 10 at Town Hall Seattle (Town Hall is located at 1119 Eighth Avenue at Seneca Street). This event includes lunch, an awards ceremony, and a forum with the award recipients having a conversation about science education for the 21^st century.   This event is hosted by City Club and sponsored Boeing. To register, please go to http://www.seattlecityclub.org/20120510  

Washington State LASER is a private public partnership working with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) as well as with the National Science Resource Center (NSRC) which is a non-profit science education organization sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and the National Academies. It receives financial support from OSPI, The Boeing Company, Battelle and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

For more information about Washington State LASER and the Science Education Advocate Awards, please visit http://www.wastatelaser.org.