Thursday, February 07, 2008

Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) Program Overview

Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer, discovers, develops, manufactures and markets important human therapeutics for serious illnesses. Amgen is committed to dramatically improving people’s lives – not only through the therapeutics we deliver to patients but also through supporting programs that advance science literacy throughout North America.

The Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) is an annual awards program that recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who are elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom and motivation of students. An independent panel of judges selects the winners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching methods; effectiveness in the classroom; the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools; an innovative science lesson plan showcasing innovative methods in the classroom; and a plan for dissemination/sharing the lesson plan with other teachers.

Since the program’s inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than $1.7 million to public and private school science teachers, grades K-12, in communities in which Amgen operates.

Applications are accepted every fall. Following an extensive judging process, 32 science teachers will be chosen for the award. The selected winners from California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington and Canada (British Columbia and Ontario) will receive an unrestricted cash award of $5,000 USD or $5,000 CAD and the recipient’s school will receive a restricted grant of $5,000 USD or $5,000 CAD to be utilized for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, for science resources, or for the professional development of the school’s science teachers.

Eligibility:

Applicants for this award must be full-time classroom teachers of grades K–12 in a public or private school setting and whose major responsibilities include teaching science. Additionally, applicants must serve one single school facility.

Applicants must be teaching full time at time of application submission and throughout the following academic year. Applicants must have at least three years of experience teaching science in grades K–12.

Applicants must work in communities in which Amgen has key operating sites: California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington and Canada (British Columbia and Ontario).