Lemon Receives DuPont Pioneer Science Education Award
Greenville Area High School Teacher Receives the DuPont Pioneer Excellence in Agricultural Science Education Award from the
National Science Teachers Association
ARLINGTON, Va. — April 11, 2016 — The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, has announced the recipients of its 2016 Teacher Awards.
Every year, NSTA recognizes extraordinary K–12 teachers, professors, principals, and science educators for their outstanding achievements in science education.
“These teachers and science education professionals have shown tremendous dedication and commitment to their students and to science education,” noted NSTA President Carolyn Hayes. “We are so proud to honor them as they help to inspire the next generation of informed citizens, scientists, engineers, and innovators who can embrace all that science can offer.”
H. Marie Lemon, a science teacher at Greenville Early College High School in Greenville, SC was awarded the DuPont Pioneer Excellence in Agricultural Science Education Award. This award, which is sponsored by DuPont Pioneer, honors science teachers who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of agricultural science education. Lemon received her award last month at a special banquet and ceremony at NSTA’s National Conference on Science Education in Nashville.
Greenville Early College High School recently became a project-based/problem-based learning school, so H. Marie Lemon was challenged to plan projects to make the experiences relevant to students and offer real-world opportunities. Lemon’s school is housed in a converted shopping mall, so there was the added challenge of the lack of green spaces, no science labs and no classroom windows. Together Lemon and her students researched alternative farming methods for a healthy plant habitat, students also researched how to bring sun into the classroom, which resulted in their “virtual sun” (LEDs and fluorescent lights). Students carried out investigations on germination and growing lettuce using LEDs and fluorescent lights in hydroponic systems.
“Ms. Lemon’s unique approach helps her students understand food, science and agriculture through hands-on activities that connect to our everyday lives,” said Paul Schickler, president of DuPont Pioneer. “Teachers play an important role in increasing exposure to science-related career possibilities at an early age. This will support the development of a workforce that can handle the challenges our industry and global community face.”
Lemon received a freestanding award, $5000 grant for her agricultural science program, paid expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, mentoring with a DuPont Pioneer scientist, classroom resources from DuPont Pioneer, and access to a DuPont Pioneer product plant or research facility.
“We congratulate Ms. Lemon for her lifelong commitment to science education and for her innovative and creative approach to teaching our students science,” said Hayes.
NSTA encourages science educators to apply for its 2017 Teacher Awards.
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership includes approximately 55,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.