Shell and NSTA Announce the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Competition’s Regional Winners

26 Science Teachers Honored for Exemplary Approaches to Science Lab Instruction Using Limited School and Laboratory Resources

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twenty-six science teachers have been named regional winners in the annual Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. Sponsored by Shell USA, Inc. (Shell) and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), the competition encouraged K–12 teachers who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package.

“These conscientious and creative science teachers have overcome many obstacles associated with having limited resources to provide their students with high-quality lab experiences,” said Dr. Beverly DeVore-Wedding, NSTA President. “We commend these regional winners for their ingenuity and their dedication to their students.”

To enter the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, K–12 science teachers located in select school districts near Shell assets were asked to describe their school’s current laboratory resources, explain why laboratory upgrade support is needed, and outline their approach to science education instruction using their school’s current lab facilities. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries. The elementary-level regional winners each receive a school science lab makeover support package valued at $15,000, and middle and high school-level regional winners each receive a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.

The regional winners will now advance to the national phase of the competition, during which they will have a chance to win an additional $5,000 of support to attend a future NSTA National Conference. All national winners will be honored during a special evening celebration during the conference.

Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Regional Winners

Carson Asset

• Elementary Level: Anna Gaiter, Plainview Charter Academy, Tujunga, California
• Middle Level: Linh Ho, South Junior High School, Anaheim, California
• High School Level: Jose Rivas, Lennox Math, Science, and Technology Academy, Lennox, California

Deer Park Asset

• Elementary Level: Mistie Barron, Fairmont Elementary School, Pasadena, Texas
• Middle Level: Kirsti Fontenot, Lomax Junior High School, La Porte, Texas
• High School Level: Cathleen Baxter Swindle, Pasadena Memorial Senior High School, Pasadena, Texas

Geismar Asset

• Elementary Level: La' Heaven James, Park Forest Elementary School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Tracey Zelden, Baton Rouge Ochsner Discovery School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Middle Level (2): Kinya Heard, Crestworth Elementary/Middle School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Houston Asset

• Elementary Level: Kimberly Glover and Britton West, Sheldon Elementary School, Houston, Texas
• Middle Level: Margaret Cayton, Cedar Bayou Junior High School, Baytown, Texas
• High School Level: Meylis Atayev and Gadam Bashimov, School of Science and Technology College Prep High School, Houston, Texas

Monaca Asset

• Elementary Level: Megan Leskanic, Fairview Elementary School, Midland, Pennsylvania
• Middle Level: Lisa Palmer, Central Valley Middle School, Monaca, Pennsylvania
• High School Level: Kristin Holmes, Ambridge Area High School, Ambridge, Pennsylvania

New Orleans Asset

• Elementary Level: Mary Brazauskas-Parnell, Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health and Science School, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Erica Carter, Houma Junior High School, Houma, Louisiana
• High School Level: Ge’lisa Patin, Plaquemine Senior High School, Plaquemine, Louisiana

Norco Asset

• Elementary Level: Amanda Whitlock, West St. John Elementary School, Edgard, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Candance Collins, Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet Math and Science School, Garyville, Louisiana
• High School Level: Candice Cerny, Hahnville High School, Boutte, Louisiana

Port Allen Asset

• Elementary Level: Stephanie Trimble, Brusly Elementary School, Brusly, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Nikita LaCour, Scotlandville Pre-Engineering Magnet Academy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• High School Level: Craig Schwartzenberg, STEAM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee, Livonia, Louisiana

For more information about the Challenge, visit the competition website at https://www.nsta.org/shell-science-lab-regional-challenge.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit https://www.nsta.org/, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; and LinkedIn.