James Bryant Conant Award in High School Chemistry Teaching

Purpose:

To recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in the United States, its possessions or territories, at the national level.

Description:

The award consists of $5,000 and a certificate. Up to $2,500 for travel expenses to the meeting at which the award will be presented will be reimbursed. A certificate will also be provided to the recipient's institution for display.

The award will be granted regardless of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of disabilities, and educational background. Any individual, except a member of the award selection committee or currently enrolled student of the nominee, may submit one nomination or support letter in any given year.

Local sections are especially encouraged to submit nominations for the award. The nominee must be actively engaged in the teaching of chemistry in a high school (grades 9-12). The nomination should clearly demonstrate as many of the following attributes of the nominee as possible:

• Quality of teaching (unusually effective methods of presentation should be emphasized)
• Ability to challenge and inspire students
• Extracurricular work in chemistry including science fairs, science clubs, and activities that stimulate the interest of young people in chemistry and related sciences
• Willingness to keep up-to-date in the field, as evidenced by pursuit of a higher degree in chemistry, enrollment in refresher courses and summer institutions, regular attendance at scientific meetings, and other means of self-improvement

The nomination should include a nominee-authored statement of not more than 500 words which describes the nominee’s beliefs about teaching and learning, how those beliefs have developed, and specific examples of how those beliefs have been put into practice. This statement should be included in the section where any publications or patents are listed.

One support letter is required. A second support letter is optional, but strongly encouraged. Support letters may include careful evaluations of the teacher's effectiveness by a supervisor or principal, by associates, or by members of the Society who have visited the nominee's classes. Letters from currently enrolled high school students are not acceptable, but letters from former students may be included. Retired teachers are not eligible for this award.