Teacher earns top science award
BONNERS FERRY — Edward Katz of Bonners Ferry High School is one of four Idaho science teachers to be recognized for their exceptional effort in teaching.
Lieutenant Governor Brad Little , standing in for Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, recognized the exceptional efforts of the teachers on April 19 by presenting them with the 2010 GIANTS Award.
Kuna High School teacher Angela Hemmingway; Katz ; Jennifer Martin of Homedale Middle School; and Ponderosa Elementary School (Post Falls) teacher Karlicia Minto Berry were awarded $2,000 each as recipients of the Governor’s Industry Award for Notable Teaching in Science (GIANTS).
“Angela, Edward, Jennifer and Karlicia serve as a model of how educators can work with industry to enhance science and technology education,” Governor Otter said in a statement prepared for the award ceremony in his Capitol office.
“Teachers have a tremendous responsibility to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. More than ever, we need teachers who can inspire students to lives spent in discovery, learning and achievement. Those teachers who excel deserve our support and recognition.”
Katz teaches physics, chemistry and physical science. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and secondary education from York College City University as well as a bachelor of science in special education from Lewis-Clark State College.
As the developer and coach of the school’s FIRST Robotics Team, Katz has helped his team grow and improve each year, recently placing first in the 2010 Robotics Competition for the Northwest Pacific Region. He also began a ZERO Robotics Team that travelled to MIT to compete with other schools in connection with the NASA Space Station.
Katz encourages students to see science in the real world by participating in educational field trips and inviting mentors to speak in the classroom. He has also partnered with more than 20 companies to provide financial support for the FIRST Robotics competition.
The GIANTS program was initiated by the Office of the Governor and is sponsored by the Science and Technology Roundtable, a group of industry leaders including the Micron Foundation, Idaho National Laboratory, URS, Hewlett-Packard, LCF Enterprises, and Idaho Power Company.
With support from the State Department of Education and Office of the State Board of Education, as well as the Discovery Center of Idaho, GIANTS recognizes teachers for their efforts to link industry and the economic future of Idaho to the classroom through the enhancement of science and technology education.
All the participating teachers were nominated by the student council and/or parent groups at their school for making science exciting, challenging, and relevant. A cash prize of $500 goes to each school/student council that nominated the GIANTS award recipients, with a cash prize of $100 going to each school/student council that nominated the Honorable Mention award recipients.
The GIANTS partners are firmly committed to the advancement of science and technology education and consider it vital to Idaho’s economic future. The Governor and the industry partners congratulate this year’s winners and honorable mentions for their significant contributions to education.