2005 NAGT Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Awards

Journal of Geoscience Education, Mar 2006

Outstanding Earth Science Teacher (OEST) awards are given for "exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level." Any teacher or other K-12 educator who covers a significant amount of earth science content with their students is eligible. Ten national finalists are selected, one from each NAGT regional section. Some sections also recognize state winners. Individuals may submit an application themselves or nominate a colleague for the award.

Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, however most sections need this information by March in order to consider the applicant for the current calendar year. The official nomination form and supporting materials should be sent to the sectional OEST chair or to the NAGT Executive Director (see NAGT web site http://www.nagt.org for contact information).

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers gives each section OEST awardee a plaque and a two-year membership in the Association, which includes a subscription to the Journal of Geoscience Education. Other NAGT awards vary from section to section and among states within sections.

In addition, the Geological Society of America provides a monetary award and a 3-year Teachers Associate Membership, and the National Earth Science Teachers Association provides a one-year membership, which includes a subscription to the Earth Scientist. The following organizations provide tangible support of various kinds such as teaching materials or gifts: American Geological Institute, American Geophysical Union, American Institute of Professional Geologists, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

SECTION WINNERS

Central Section

No winner in 2005

Eastern Section

The 2005 Eastern Section Award winner is Bernard Picklo of Bradford Area High School who is a former Pennsylvania OEST State award winner. He holds a BS degree in secondary education with certificates in Earth and Space Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Mr. Picklo has excelled in the areas of teaching, professional development, and service. He is an innovative educator who uses "real world" examples and whose students recognize "Your class isn't just about science, it is about life." He believes in field experiences and takes his classes on collecting trips to such places as Hamburg, New York to collect Devonian age invertebrate fossils. He was instrumental in obtaining and maintaining a WeatherNet Center at his high school. Live feeds from his camera on the roof of the school are now accessible via the Internet. A student writes "the things Pick taught me are endless but the thing I still think of today is the fact that he never let me accept anything that was not my best and for that I am grateful. This is what makes him, not only a good teacher, but a great teacher. It's great to know that teachers are so committed to their work that they actually care to help give students a chance." He was recently asked to write questions for the Earth Science Praxis Exam and currently serves as the Science Department Chair for his school. Stephen Lindberg, his nominator writes," Probably one of the greatest compliments a teacher can receive is to have their students speak highly of them as role models. In my current position as science instructor at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, I have had students tell me that they attended Bradford Area High School and that Mr. Picklo was 'the best teacher they ever had'."

Far West Section

No winner in 2005

Midcontinent Section

No winner in 2005

New England Section

Anita Honkonen is the New England Section's Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award winner for 2005. Anita teaches 9th grade earth science at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, Sudbury, Massachusetts and her commitment to earth science education is truly outstanding. She has helped write the Massachusetts state standards for earth and space science, is secretary of the Greater Boston Earth Science Teachers organization, is a founding member of MESA - a statewide alliance supporting earth science education, and has served as president of the local teachers' association. Anita has been a presenter at many national, regional, and local meetings. She is also a mentor for new and student teachers.

Through the Princeton Earth Physics Project, Anita maintains a Guralp seismometer at the high school. She is a Master Teacher in the FEMA / AGU Seismic Sleuths curriculum and integrates real-time, world-wide seismic data into her classes. "Student like to be challenged" states Anita. "The challenge for me is to make sure that I am 'pushing' them at the appropriate level." Students "should be touching Earth Science in my classroom" and "hands-on" lab activities are a major component of most units.

In 1990, as a participant in an NSF-funded workshop, Anita helicoptered into the crater of Mt. St. Helens. She has been a participant in numerous educational programs and two Earth Watch expeditions and she always brings a wealth of samples and experience back to the classroom. Students also participate by collecting sand from various vacation spots.