NABT Ecology/Environmental
Science Teaching Award

It's never too early to start working on your application for the Vernier sponsored NABT Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award that will be given to a secondary school teacher who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative approach in the teaching of ecology/environmental science and has carried his/her commitment to the environment into the community. Our sponsorship of this award includes $500 toward travel to the NABT National Convention, a check for $500, and $500 of Vernier equipment. The recipient also receives a plaque to be presented at the NABT National Convention, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership. Download an application from the NABT web site at http://nabt.org/sub/pdf/awards.pdf

At the recent NSTA National Convention in Anaheim, California, six educators were honored as the 2006 Vernier Technology Award recipients. The six winning entries were judged by a panel of experts, appointed by NSTA, to be the most innovative in their use of data-collection technology in their respective categories. David and Christine Vernier presented each of the winners with a trophy, a check for $1,000, and a $1,000 gift certificate for Vernier technology. Each recipient also received a one-year membership to NSTA and $1,000 towards expenses for attending the Anaheim convention.

Below are brief synopses of the winning entries. For more information about the winning entries and the 2007 NSTA/Vernier Technology Awards, visit www.vernier.com/grants/nsta.html

College Level

"Interactive Learning Experiments"
Marina Milner-Bolton, from the University of British Columbia, has turned "show-and-tell" demonstrations into Interactive Learning Experiments by collecting data during lectures and making them available for analysis outside of class.

High School Level (Grades 9 - 12)

"Heart Rate Measures in Crayfish"
Heidi Anderson, from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, KY, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Kentucky, developed an inquiry-based activity designed to measure the heart rate of crayfish.

"Air Toxics Under the Big Sky"
David Jones, from Big Sky High School in Missoula, MT, got his students involved with research studying links between incidence of asthma and the levels of different groups of air pollutants.

"Rocketry"
Stephen Potashnik, from Chesapeake Bay Governor's School in Tappahannock, VA, has students measure engine thrust in model rockets to predict maximum launch height and compare the results to an actual launch.

Middle School Level (Grades 6 - 8)

"Soil on the Horizon in Stanly County"
Jamie Mabry from New London Choice Middle School in North Carolina, has his students bring in soil samples from farms throughout Stanly County to measure soil pH as an indicator of soil fertility.

Elementary Level (Grades K - 5)

"The Power of the A.P.P.L.E. Bus"
Deborah Wickerham from Chamberlin Hill Intermediate in Findlay, OH, lead the development of a mobile science technology laboratory used to provide inquiry-based field studies.