AWARDS

ACS Division of Chemical Education Western Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching
Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences
The E. Ann Nalley 2008 Western Regional Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society


ACS Division of Chemical Education Western Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching

 Congratulations to Judith Ann Flint Baumwirt, the 2008 winner of the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Education Western Region Award for Excellence in High School Teaching.
Judie is a teacher at Granada Hills Charter High School (Granada Hills, CA), where she teaches Honors and AP chemistry and where she serves as the science department chairperson. She was chosen to receive this award because of the innovative techniques she uses in her classroom, for her dedication to all students’ learning, for her constant efforts to improve science instruction at her school, and for her leadership and mentorship of high school teachers in Southern California and across the nation.

Judie believes that students need to see the usefulness and relevance of chemistry to everyday life. She allows her students to experiment with commercial products and to discuss the claims in contemporary media (“is it true or just a sales pitch?”). Her colleagues comment that her students are often actively engaged in exploring new concepts in innovative ways. In fact, Judie uses the skills she developed as a freelance artist to design or revise laboratory activities to make them more interesting for her students. For example, students not only experiment to determine the volume of a mole of gas, but they compound different pigments they then use to paint their own versions of Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Judie’s former students comment that they not only enjoyed her class, but, even better, that they felt completely prepared to take college level chemistry courses after taking her courses.

Judie’s work isn’t limited to normal school day activities. She provides open tutoring sessions during lunch and before and after school. She developed a website of learning resources for her students to use when they are not in class. She organizes Mole Day celebrations for the entire school and the local middle school.

She has also made a number of important contributions to science instruction at her school. She upgraded the school’s safety training and brought in experts to introduce a chemistry in the community program. In order to provide the school’s AP students with quality college-level laboratory experiences, she instituted before school labs.

Outside of the classroom, Judie plays the role of leader and mentor to other chemistry teachers. She is the leader of a High School Chemistry Teacher Support Group sponsored by California State University Northridge, for which she organizes meetings, demonstrations, and guest speakers for groups of local teachers. The support group’s webpage (www.csun.edu/chemteach/) and corresponding listserv provide teaching resources and an online community for over 800 teachers nationally and internationally.

Judith Ann Flint Baumwirt makes a difference to her students, her coworkers, and chemistry teachers across the nation. She is truly deserving of this award.
She will be honored for her accomplishments at the Education Program Awards Luncheon on Saturday, September 27.

The Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences

Place a Nomination:

  • To recognize individuals and/or institutions that have advanced diversity in the chemical sciences and significantly stimulated or fostered activities that promote inclusiveness with the region.
  • The award consist of medal and a $1000 grant to support and further activities for which the award was made.
  • Nominees may be form academia, industry, government, or independent entities, and may also be organizations, including ACS local Sections and divisions.
  • Nominate an excellent diversity innovator no later than May 1, 2008.
  • Application consist, a letter of nomination, a C.V. or resume and at least one but no more than three supportive letters, one of which must be from nominee’s ACS Local Section. Mailing address, phone number(s), and e-mail address of nominee/supporter must be provided as well.
  • To complete nomination package should be sent to: Committee on Minority affairs, American Chemical Society, 1155 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.
  • Download Nomination form as doc file

The E. Ann Nalley 2008 Western Regional Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society

Place a Nomination:

  • Any individual, except a member of the award selection committee, may nominate or support only one nominee for this award in any given year.
  • Nominate an excellent service volunteer no later than May 16, 2008.
  • Application consist of nomination and a support forms (both of which may be found in the above http address) and current curriculum vitae.
  • Download Nomination form as doc file
  • Download Support form as doc file