The middle school and high school science teachers were selected from a statewide pool of applicants to attend a four-week summer science program in the foundation's laboratories in Oklahoma City.
The teachers will participate in the course "Living Chemistry," which focuses on cell metabolism and the production of biological energy. It will give the educators a chance to design an integrated series of projects that will provide a fresh way of teaching science to their students.
The teachers will work with active medical researchers and also attend seminars hosted by OMRF research scientists.
"This hands-on program particularly helps rural Oklahoma teachers, who often feel isolated in the classroom. When these educators return to their schools, we hope their newfound knowledge will benefit not only them, but their students and their colleagues as well," said OMRF researcher Tim Mather, science coordinator for the program.
The 2006 foundation scholars are:
Stephanie Bailey, Choctaw, Midwest City High School; Sally Fenska, Miami High School; Jerry Hays, Hominy Middle School; Jeffrey Hedger, Pryor, Adair High School; and Jo Jones, Mounds, Liberty Public Schools.
Since 1988, more than 60 Oklahoma science teachers have participated in OMRF's Foundation Scholar Program.
For more information about the Foundation Scholar Program, go online to www.omrf.org/OMRF/Education/Foundation2006.asp.
From Staff and Wire Reports
