News Release

Nathan Shotwell to receive the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching

Grant and Award Announcement

American Geosciences Institute

Alexandria, VA – Nathan Shotwell, a teacher at Holman Middle School in Glen Allen, Virginia, has been named the 2013 recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Shotwell, who earned his Master's degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, has spent his career challenging middle- and junior-high school students with what he calls "authentic problems" and inquiry-based learning in the Earth sciences.

"Mr. Shotwell's use of project work with his students allows them to develop and test hypotheses in the Earth sciences using actual data and modern information technologies," said AGI Education Director Ann Benbow on recognizing Shotwell with the award. "This type of instruction not only builds student understanding, but also fosters the workplace skills of working in teams, solving problems, and communicating results."

Shotwell will be presented with the award at the NESTA Friends of Earth Science Reception during the National Science Teachers Association 2013 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in April. Finalists for the award were Laura Finney of Chamberlin Hill Intermediate School in Findlay, Ohio, and John Russell of Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science, and Engineering in New York, New York.

Given annually, AGI's Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award recognizes one classroom teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade for leadership and innovation in Earth science education. This award is named in honor of Dr. Edward C. Roy, Jr., who was a strong and dedicated supporter of Earth science education. To learn more, please see http://www.agiweb.org/education/awards/ed-roy/.

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The American Geosciences Institute is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards, and interaction with the environment


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