ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Submissions are now being accepted for the eighth annual Shell Science Lab Challenge. The Challenge, which is sponsored by Shell Oil Company (Shell) and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, encourages science teachers (grades 6-12) in the U.S. and Canada, who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences utilizing limited school and laboratory resources, to apply for a chance to win up to $93,000 in prizes, including a grand prize school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2017.
“What these teachers accomplish with limited resources is absolutely extraordinary,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, VP Shell Oil Company Foundation and Manager Workforce Community Strategic Initiatives. “We believe that learning and innovation go hand in hand. By providing further resources, this challenge helps to support innovation as well as foster student excitement about science at an early age.”
“Despite having limited resources and equipment, there are extraordinary teachers out there who have found creative ways to motivate their students and deliver a world-class science education that includes exciting hands-on lab experiences,” said Dr. David Evans, NSTA Executive Director. “The Shell Science Lab Challenge not only provides teachers and their schools with the equipment they need to properly facilitate their students' learning, but also provides teachers with the professional development needed to support high-quality science teaching in the classroom.”
Judges will evaluate entries based on various criteria, including demonstrated science inquiry and innovation in the middle or high school classroom with limited laboratory equipment, materials, and resources; demonstrated impact and engagement with students and the school community; and demonstrated need for support to improve science laboratory experiences. Up to 54 NSTA district finalists will be chosen and asked to make a 3-5 minute video displaying their current science lab facilities and provide an explanation of how winning equipment and resources would make a difference in their science teaching and in the learning experiences for their students. The judging panel will pick 18 NSTA district winners from these finalists, and then 5 national finalists will be chosen. From there, a grand prize winner will be selected.
All winners will receive science lab equipment, Shell cash grants, membership to the NSTA, and support to attend NSTA Conferences on Science Education. The grand prize winner and four national finalists will be honored at a special banquet and ceremony at NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education in Atlanta, March 15-18, 2018.
For more information about the Shell Science Lab Challenge or to apply, visit http://www.nsta.org/shellsciencelab/.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence in science teaching and learning, preschool through college. NSTA’s membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business representatives, and others involved in science education.
About Shell Oil Company
Shell’s commitment to community and social responsibility has been in place for more than 50 years. During this time, we have contributed more than a billion dollars to support community, health and welfare, environmental, arts and cultural activities, various educational initiatives, including minority education, and diversity and inclusiveness programs in Houston and the U.S.
