2006 Elementary Presidential Awardees

What is PAEMST?!  Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching  Highest Award to K – 12 grade a math or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching in the U.S.  The awards program was enacted by Congress in  The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Why apply?  A citation signed by the President  An opportunity to join a dynamic network of awardees  A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation  A paid trip (for two) to Washington DC, to attend a week long series of recognition events and professional development opportunities  Gifts from sponsors of the program

Who is eligible?  Must be highly qualified  Must hold a degree or appropriate credentials in the category for which they are applying  Must teach in the U.S.A.  Must be a full time employee  Must have at least 5 yrs. experience  Elementary (K – 6 th ) on even number years (2008) and Secondary on the odd

What is the application process? Four Phases  Nomination  Completion of an application  State and national competition  FBI background check Full details about the application process, nomination deadlines, and instructions regarding submissions can be found online The next Elementary Deadline is May 1, 2008.

Highlights from the week in DC:  New nationwide friendships  NSF Day – Feeling like such a valuable asset / link between national scientists, mathematicians and engineers and children  Chosen to be on a panel with 3 other educators to critique the web design of the NSF website  Federal Agencies Breakfast in the Crystal Room of the Willard Intercontinental Hotel  Reception / Dinner - U.S. Department of State  Amazing Awards Ceremony / Reception – Ronald Regan Building with a special visit from 3 DE DOE math and science employees to congratulate us!  Potomac River Cruise on the Odyssey for brunch and dance party!  White House Tour without guard rails (sat on all the furniture), picture with the President and First Lady, watched from the White House veranda as the Marine One landed on the front lawn, collected the President and his wife and flew off to Texas  Incredible meals ALL WEEK!!!

Gifts from Donors  Educational Innovations, $100 gift certificate  Texas Instruments, free product and Exploration Series book  Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories, $25 gift certificate  Digital Frog International, CD of digital field trip to the Wetlands with a $100 building site upgrade  Blackboard Course Sites, free online course ($495 value)  Straight Curve Mathematics Software, 1 year free subscription  NSF & WGGH Science and Engineering Resources, Peep Event Kit, The FETCH Newsflash (bi-monthly) The Fetch Challenge Pack, The Design Squad e-newsletter

And the list goes on….  PaperRollerCoasters.com, (designed by a Science Awardee from NC) free teacher pack  The Natural Consevancy adopted an acre of land for preservation in my name in Kenya or Tanzania  SEPA, Society of Elementary Presidential Awardees – 1 year paid membership  NSTA, National Science Teachers Association – 1 year paid membership  Go! Temp – Vernier thermometer with USB connection to measure graph and analyze temperature changes BOOKS  The Music of Reason Mathematics Through Quotations by Theoni Pappas  Taking Science to School by the National Research Council VIDEOS  Journey Into Amazing Caves (IMAX)  Arbor Day the Holiday that Makes a Difference OTHER  A new LCD Projector!!!

Additional gifts to OBL  ABC in Washington DC  Dolly and Ike at The Willard

Who’s next?  Please let me know if you have any interest so we can discuss it further. :o)