Linda Ford, a chemistry teacher at Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has received the Central Regional High School Chemistry Teaching Award from the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society. The award was presented at the Society's 32nd Central regional meeting on May 17 in Covington, Ky.
Ford's passion for chemistry has taken her around the world and beyond. Last fall, Ford partnered with NASA and led the TREK (Telescience Resource Kit) program at Seven Hills School, one of 25 sites in the nation. TREK's goal is to put students in direct communication with scientists on the International Space Station, who will conduct experiments on topics ranging from the Earth's environment to microgravity.
In 1998, Ford participated in a three-week visit to Japan as part of the Fulbright Memorial Program. She created an Internet pen pal program that links over 40 Japanese and American chemistry students to discuss environmental issues.
Susan Marrs, principal at Seven Hills School said, "Although she is in her first year at Seven Hills, she has already established herself as a creative and energetic teacher of chemistry, who not only knows her subject matter but who has devoted her professional life to instilling in her students her own enthusiasm for it."
In 1997, Ford was named Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the Society's Cincinnati Section. In addition, she was awarded the 1994 Joule award for outstanding energy educator in Ohio. Ford is a member of the American Chemical Society and the National Science Teachers Association.
Ford earned her bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, and her M.A.T. from the University of Chicago. She resides in Cincinnati, with her husband, Douglas, and their three sons.
A nonprofit organization with a membership of 161,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. http://www.acs.org