URBAN EDUCATION:

IND Science Teacher Gets National Award for Excellence

Using Grant's program, Institute of Notre Dame high school students examine the impact of urban development on Maryland's natural resources as they bicycle across the state this summer. Students will collect samples and interview environmental groups and water quality experts. They will also meet with local advocacy groups and long-time residents to assess how development has changed the environment over the last several decades.

Once students compile and analyze their data, the results will be recorded onto a CD that will be offered to Maryland educators interested in the state's changing environment.

"Terrence's program exposes students to an extremely current and relevant issue, the impact of development on natural resources," said Michael Rouse, corporate manager of philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota. "His program exemplifies the spirit of the Toyota TAPESTRY grant, which is to foster creative and novel ways of presenting science."

Grant has been a teacher for the past 10 years.

The Toyota TAPESTRY program is the largest K-12 science teacher grant program in the US. It awards grants to kindergarten through 12th grade teachers each year for projects that demonstrate creativity, involve risk-taking, and possess a visionary quality. Projects are selected from three critical areas: environmental and physical science, and science applications that promote literacy. Fifty grants of up to $10,000 are awarded each year, along with a minimum of 20 mini-grants of up to $2,500 each year.

NSTA's current membership includes more than 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.