Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award

The Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award was established in 2004 by the Biotechnology Institute and is co-sponsored by Genzyme and Invitrogen. The program identifies outstanding biotechnology Teacher-Leaders who have participated in the Institute’s National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program. These teachers will serve as models for their colleagues and will lead the improvement of biotechnology education. They represent a premier group of biotechnology teachers who bring the excitement, promise, and cutting-edge research of biotechnology to their classrooms. 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.

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 on June 16, 2008 in San Diego, California. 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-Invitrogen 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 Invitrogen.
Each finalist will receive a personalized plaque identifying him/her as a Biotechnology Institute Biotech Educator Awardee.
Round trip airfare to San Diego, lodging (June 15-17, 2008) for three nights and meals.
Complimentary full admission to the BIO International Convention.
Complimentary admission to the Biotechnology Institute’s Biotechnology Education Awards Banquet (June 16)

2. Recognition:

An awards presentation at the Biotechnology Institute’s Biotechnology Education Awards Banquet the evening of June 16.
Opportunity to present in the Best Practices Day of the National Biotechnology Education Teacher-Leader Program (June 16).
The first place winner will be recognized at a plenary luncheon of the BIO International Convention on June 18.

Application Deadline is April 18, 2008!

2007 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Awardees

2007 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award finalists


First Place LeeAnn Vaughan, Omaha North High School, Omaha, Nebraska Second Place John Sharkey, Parma High School, Parma, Idaho	Vaughan (center) with Michael Wyzga (left) of Genzyme and Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (right). Sharkey (center) with Michael Wyzga (left) of Genzyme and Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (right).

Third Place Kristina Doss, Carlmont High School, Belmont, California	Doss with Michael Wyzga (left) of Genzyme and Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (right).

2006 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Awardees

2006 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award Finalists

First Place Kathryn Eilert Middleton High School Middleton, WI	Eilert with Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (left) and Michael Wyzga of Genzyme.

Second Place Docia Generette Bailey High School Jackson, MS	Generette with Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (left) and Michael Wyzga of Genzyme.

Third Place Deborah Wasylik Dr. Phillips High School Orlando, FL	Wasylik with Pete Leddy of Invitrogen (left) and Michael Wyzga of Genzyme.