Q: How do I apply or get more information?
A: The application for this year’s award is available on the main program page. For further information, please contact the Amgen Foundation at 805-447-4056 or amgenfoundation@amgen.com
Q: What benefits do the winners receive?
A: Winners receive a personal, unrestricted cash award of $5,000 USD or $5,000 CAD. A restricted $5,000 USD or $5,000 CAD cash award is granted to the recipient’s school for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, for science resources, or for the professional development of the school’s science teachers.
Q: What’s the difference between the unrestricted and restricted monies?
A: The unrestricted portion of the award may be used by the teacher however the teacher wishes. The restricted portion of the grant must be used by the recipient’s school for the expansion or enhancement of a school science program, for science resources, or for the professional development of the school’s science teachers.
Q: Why are teachers required to have taught science for at least three years in order to be eligible?
A: This award is to honor those who help sustain excellence in science education. Long-term experience in the field is very important.
Q: Can I submit my application electronically?
A: Yes. You may email your completed application to amgenfoundation@amgen.com if all required documents (including pages with signatures) are in electronic format as well. Or, mail your complete hard copy application and additional items to the appropriate mail address listed on page 3 of the application.
Q: Why are teachers now required to complete editable PDF applications as part of the nomination process for these awards? It seems so complicated and cumbersome.
A: Amgen is engaging teachers in the nomination process in order to capture the richness of teachers’ experience and as a way of selecting the finest possible recipients across the nation. Also, the electronic format gives teachers the option to easily submit their application electronically and ensures consistency and fairness among the applicants.
Q: Why are teachers now required to submit an innovative lesson plan and dissemination plan?
A: Amgen is committed to providing resources to enable the sharing of science teaching expertise and best practices. We believe sharing this knowledge will bolster excellence and innovation in science teaching.
Q: If I win this award, will my lesson plan be shared publicly?
A: Selected lesson plans will be posted on amgen.com in the hopes that other teachers will benefit from these innovative teaching practices. Winners’ names and schools will be posted in conjunction with the lesson plan. The 2007 AASTE recipients' lesson plans can be accessed here.
Q: Is the award open to teacher accross the United States and Canada?
A: Applications are accepted from science educators who teach in the communities where Amgen operates. These locations currently include California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Washington or Canada (British Columbia and Ontario only).
Q: Who were the 2007 recipients of the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence?
A: Click here to read more about the 2007 recipients.
Q: When will I know if I have won the award?
A: Winners will be notified in May 2008.
