Top U.S. Science Teachers Attend the 2012 SSP Fellows Institute

Teachers gather to learn how to build independent scientific research programs in their communities

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ten teachers selected in March as part of Society for Science & the Public's (SSP) 2012 class of SSP Fellows will attend the Fellows Institute next week in Washington, DC.  SSP Fellows design independent research programs to be implemented in their schools and help their students to develop a strong network of scientific mentors. The Fellows Institute, supported by Intel, provides intensive training to teachers and enables each Fellow to earn graduate level credit for their work.

Competitively selected this year from an 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 held July 30–August 4, 2012 in Washington, DC; and (3) ongoing training and resources from SSP. Successful participants may retain their Fellowship for up to a total of four years to ensure that promising students can pursue independent research through their high school years.

"SSP is inspired by the promise of each Fellow to deliver valuable independent science research opportunities to their schools and communities," said Elizabeth Marincola, president of Society for Science & the Public. "The Fellows Institute will help them to build and implement successful programming, while reinforcing the importance of learning through inquiry."

The 2012 Fellows include teachers selected from rural and urban areas and large and small communities, all of whom work in 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, Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, Salt Lake City, UT
Steven Wilkie, South Fort Myers High School, Fort Myers, FL

The program began with its first class in 2009. Additional information about the SSP Fellowship is at www.societyforscience.org/outreach. 

Society for Science & the Public is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the achievement of young researchers in independent research and to the public engagement in science. Established in 1921, its vision is to promote 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 a 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.  

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

SOURCE Society for Science & the Public