SSP Selects Top U.S. Math and Science Teachers for 2012 Fellowship

Ten high school teachers selected to build independent scientific research in their communities

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Society for Science & the Public (SSP) today announced the selection of the 2012 class of the SSP Fellowship. Ten teachers will join thirty active Fellows from the classes of 2009 through 2011. The 2012 Fellows are from across the United States and were named for their unique plans to reach students in underserved communities and to inspire excellence in independent scientific research.

Through a generous grant from Intel, the SSP Fellowship provides funds and training to selected U.S. science and math teachers who serve under-resourced students, to enable interested and motivated students to perform high-quality, independent scientific research. The program began with its first class in 2009. SSP Fellows design independent research programs to be implemented in their schools and help their students to develop a strong network of scientific mentors.

Competitively selected from a national entrant pool of high school science and math teachers from 26 states and Puerto Rico, each Fellow will receive: (1) $8,500 in 2012 directly for their classroom and community; (2) full support to attend the Fellows Institute to be held July 30-August 4, 2012, in Washington, DC; and (3) ongoing training and resources from SSP. Successful participants may retain their Fellowship after its first year to enable that promising students can pursue independent research through their high school years.

The 2012 class of Fellows includes teachers selected from rural and urban areas, large and small communities, and schools that serve under-resourced communities. They are:

Doloumar Bergen, Santiago High School, Corona, CA
Lillie Bryant, Reed Resource Center School, Shuqualak, MS
Mary Doornbos, Thornwood High School, South Holland, IL
Denise Gordon, Applied Learning Academy, Fort Worth, TX
Rebecca Grella, Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY
Theresa Knipe, Hammond High School, Hammond, IN
Susan McGill, Baldwin High School, Milledgeville, GA
David Nelson, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore, MD
David Oyler, SC School for the Deaf and Blind, Spartanburg, SC
Steven Wilkie, South Fort Myers High School, Fort Myers, FL

"SSP and Intel are proud to announce the 2012 Fellows and to offer financial and training resources to communities where independent research can be out of reach," said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public. "The Fellows were selected based on their promising plans to reach students in underserved communities and to inspire excellence in independent scientific research. In offering these opportunities to their students, these teachers will enable our brightest students to apply their intelligence and creativity to finding solutions to global challenges."          

The Fellows Institute provides intensive training to teachers and enables each Fellow to earn graduate level credit for their work.

Additional information about the SSP Fellowship is at www.societyforscience.org/outreach. The application for the 2013 Fellowship will open in November 2012.

About Society for Science & the Public

Society for Science & the Public (SSP) is one of the nation's oldest non-profit membership organizations dedicated to public engagement in science and science education. Established in 1921, SSP is a leading advocate for the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Through its acclaimed education competitions, including the Intel Science Talent Search, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Broadcom MASTERS, and its award-winning publications, Science News and Science News for Kids, as well as its recently released weekly e-publication for the iPad, Science News Prime, Society for Science & the Public is committed to inform, educate, and inspire.

For more information, please visit www.societyforscience.org or follow SSP on Facebook: www.facebook.com/societyforscience and through Twitter: http://twitter.com/Society4Science.

Become a member of the Society at www.societyforscience.org/join.

For more information about SSP and its work visit www.societyforscience.org.  

Contact: Sarah Wood
Society for Science & the Public
(202) 872-5110
[email protected]

SOURCE Society for Science & the Public