November 23, 2010 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Awards. They are:
- Christy Garvin, Vaughan Elementary School, Powder Springs, Ga.
- Penny Glackman, Merion Elementary School, Merion, Pa.
- Roger Kasselbaum, Milken Community High School, Los Angeles, Calif.
- Benjamin McLuckie, Hoonah High School, Hoonah, Alaska
- Christopher Miko, Meadows Elementary School, Manhattan Beach, Calif.
- Dr. Carl Steven Rapp, Linwood Holton Governor's School, Abington, Va.
- Jill Wall, Farnsworth Aerospace PK-8 Magnet School, St. Paul, Minn.
In addition to the seven winners, three educators were selected for honorable mention. They are:
- Gary Bodman, Madison Middle School, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Vana Richards, Kenneth J. Carberry Intermediate School, Emmett, Idaho
- Sandra Trevino, Buena High School, Sierra Vista, Ariz.
The AIAA Foundation presents the Educator Achievement Awards every two years to precollege educators who have demonstrated exemplary efforts in exciting students in grades K-12 about the study of mathematics, science, and related technical studies, and in preparing them to use and contribute to tomorrow's technologies.
AIAA President Mark J. Lewis stated: "The seven individuals receiving this year's AIAA Educator Achievement Awards, and the three named as Honorable Mentions, are living testaments to the influence that educators can have on the lives of their students. Often, all it takes is that one special teacher to ignite an initial spark of interest, or encourage and nurture an existing fascination towards a career in the technical disciplines. Aerospace is about the future; at a time when we recognize more than ever how important science, mathematics, and engineering education is to the continued success of our society, it is especially fitting that we recognize these outstanding educators' contributions."
Each winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., along with a guest, and will be honored at the AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala on May 11, 2011.
The Educator Achievement Award has been presented to over 45 educators since 1997, and has become a sought after honor in the education community. For more information on the AIAA Foundation Educator Achievement Award, please contact Lisa Bacon at lisab@aiaa.org or 703.264.7527.
The AIAA Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational programs. By devoting resources to the education of both practicing and future aerospace professionals, and by recognizing professional achievement, the AIAA Foundation influences the future of aerospace. The AIAA Foundation offers a wealth of resources to support educators at both the K-12 and the university level, including scholarships, classroom grants, design competitions, and student conferences. The AIAA Foundation's financial assistance enables educators and students to improve scientific literacy and advance the arts and sciences of aerospace.
AIAA is the world's largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. With more than 35,000 individual members worldwide, and 90 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 500, Reston, VA 20191-4344
Phone: 703.264.7558 Fax: 703.264.7551 www.aiaa.org