ARLINGTON, Va. — March 29, 2011 — The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, has announced the recipients of its 2011 Teacher Awards. NSTA presented the Shell Science Teaching Award to Susie Stevens Edens, a science teacher at Latta High School in Ada, Oklahoma. Edens received her award at a special banquet and ceremony at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education held March 10-13, 2011, in San Francisco.
“Susie Stevens Edens represents the best and brightest in science education,” said Dr. Francis Eberle, Executive Director, NSTA. “We offer our congratulations and thanks to Mrs. Edens for her lifelong commitment to science education and for her innovative and creative approach to teaching our students science.”
Edens teaching philosophy drives her to continually expand and improve her knowledge and skills to more effectively teach science to her students. For more than 30 years, she has utilized innovative teaching techniques to not only inspire her students’ interest in science, but also prepare them to be active members of an increasingly scientifically-literate workforce. Edens incorporates technology and current events to make science both relevant and interesting for her students. Additionally, she requires her students to prepare science fair projects. As a result of her efforts, several of Edens’ students have earned awards in various science competitions and have presented their research projects at the regional, state and international level.
In addition to her dedication to the classroom, Edens is also an extremely active and passionate member of the science education community. She is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the NSTA, the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA), the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), Oklahoma Academy of Science, and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, just to name a few. Edens has also served as an associate member of the National Academies Teacher Advisory Council and was a member of the Teacher Competency Review Panel for the Oklahoma Department of Education. In 2001, she was selected to an elite national group of 20 teachers to participate in a DNA Leadership Institute in New York to become a regional lead teacher to train other educators about DNA biotechnology techniques.
A national board certified teacher, Edens has been recognized extensively for her contributions to science education. She was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, a Toyota TAPESTRY Grant, ING’s Unsung Heroes Award, the RadioShack National Teachers Award, the Oklahoma Medal of Excellence, and the Jimmy Pigg Memorial Award for Student Scientific Research. Edens was also named the 2002 Oklahoma recipient of NABT’s Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA), was selected as one of 20 people in the nation for USA Today’s All Teacher Team, received a Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, and was a finalist for the Intel Excellence in Teaching Award.
“Science education combines the use of observation, intuition, experimentation and analysis – all necessary skills for independent and critical thinkers,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President, Shell Oil Company Foundation and Director, Social Investment, Shell Oil Company. “As our society becomes increasing dependent on technology, these skills create the foundation for science careers, as well as scientific thinking, to bear on issues that impact all citizens. As Shell celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Shell Science Teaching Award, we salute Suzie Edens for inspiring the next generation of science innovators that will help meet future global energy needs.”
Edens received the Shell Science Teaching Award for her positive impact on her students, school and community through exemplary classroom science teaching. She received a $10,000 grant from Shell and an all-expense paid trip to attend the NSTA National Conference.
In addition to Edens, two finalists were selected. Karen Borders, a science teacher at Key Peninsula Middle School in LakeBay, Washington and Bill Richey, a science teacher at Xenia High School in Xenia, Ohio received all-expense paid trips to attend the conference and were recognized for their achievements at the awards banquet and ceremony in San Francisco.
For more information about the NSTA Teacher Awards Program, please go to http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx?lid=tnavhp.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
About Shell
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 93,000 employees in more than 90 countries. In the U.S., we operate in 50 states and employ more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. We are a leading oil and gas producer in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, a recognized pioneer in oil and gas exploration and production technology and one of America’s leading oil and natural gas producers, gasoline and natural gas marketers and petrochemical manufacturers.