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Pacific Science Center Educator to Receive Distinguished Service Award

Posted on: Tuesday, 29 March 2005, 12:00 CST

Dennis Schatz will be awarded the prestigious National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Distinguished Service Award on April 1, 2005, at the Annual NSTA National Convention. The award is designed to recognize science educators who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of science education in the sciences and science teaching. This is the first time that the award has been presented to an informal educator.

Currently Vice President at Pacific Science Center, Schatz has been with the non-profit institution for 28 years. Under his leadership, the science center's educational outreach programs have become the largest in the nation. He has implemented inquiry-based programs, demonstrations and exhibits that approach scientific learning with hands-on activities and interactive elements.

"Dennis has brought national attention to informal science as an instrumental component of education," said Bryce Seidl, Pacific Science Center President. "His approach inspires curiosity and excitement, connects students to the relevance of science in their every day lives and provides new opportunities for learning."

Schatz develops quality science education programs and materials and takes them beyond the walls of the institution. "His work ensures that Washington State schools have appropriate curricula, training and support systems and sends science activities in van programs and traveling exhibits out to numerous venues throughout the State of Washington--anywhere science can be made exciting and relevant--and for Dennis Schatz that is everywhere!" adds Seidl.

Schatz grew Pacific Science Center's Science on Wheels traveling van program, which now brings hands-on exhibits to one-third of the elementary schools in Washington State each year. And he has served as principle investigator on numerous National Science Foundation (NSF) projects under which he has developed exhibits like The Space Spot that travels to shopping malls throughout the state and Other Worlds! Other Beings?, an exhibit touring to 10 national sites in the United States.

As co-director of Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), Schatz leads the effort to implement an inquiry-based, K-8 science program across Washington State. Through this Pacific Science Center program 111 school districts, representing 60 percent of Washington students, have gained access to the tools that are vital to engage and consistently build knowledge in their students, including inquiry-based curricula that are linked to state learning standards, training for teachers, teaching strategies and materials support.

Additionally, Schatz has invented many spectacular, unforgettable and even humorous activities to engage students in basic science content. For example, when Halley's Comet passed by earth in 1986, Schatz developed Building Your Own Comet, one of the most widely used astronomy activities in which students learned about comets by making one from dry ice, syrup, dirt, ammonia and water. He is also author to many hands-on, activity-based children's books. The American Museum of Natural History identified his book Uncover a T-Rex as a best seller.

The NSTA Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to recognize NSTA members who have shown long-term dedication to science education. This award honors NSTA members who, through active leadership and scholarly endeavor over a significant period of time, have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of education in the sciences and science teaching. In 2005, three educators from across the nation were selected to receive this honor and will be presented with the award on April 1, 2005, at the National Science Teachers Association's National Convention in Dallas, Texas.

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership of more than 55,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.

Pacific Science Center is a non-profit institution that inspires a lifelong interest in science, mathematics and technology by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits and programs. Through Pacific Science Center's Programs and Washington State LASER, Pacific Science Center is the major supporter of science education reform in the state of Washington.

Source: Business Wire

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