2006 Recipients of Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence Announced; 19 Outstanding Science Teachers and Their Schools Recognized in Amgen Communities Across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2006--Amgen
(NASDAQ:AMGN), the world's largest biotechnology company, today
announced the 19 science teachers across the United States and Puerto
Rico who are this year's recipients of the Amgen Award for Science
Teaching Excellence. Each of the individuals honored have demonstrated
an outstanding ability to inspire their students and produce results
in science education. The program was designed to recognize teachers
in the K-12 grade levels in public and private schools whose
dedication to their student's education has had a significant impact
on the learning and interest of the future generation of scientists.
The winners of the 15th annual Amgen Science Teaching Awards program
will be honored at dinner events in their respective Amgen communities
in May. The 2006 award recipients are:
California
- Edwin Bell of Costa Mesa High School/Middle School in Costa
Mesa, CA
- Anne Marie Bergen of Oakdale Joint Unified School District in
Oakdale, CA
- Brendan Casey of Joan MacQueen Middle School in Alpine, CA
- Kim Castagna of Canalino School in Carpinteria, CA
- Tucker Hiatt of The Branson School in Ross, CA
Colorado
- Dr. Thomas Bindel of Pomona High School in Arvada, CO
- Cynthia Jamison Gay of Steamboat Springs High School in
Steamboat Springs, CO
Kentucky
- Jeffrey Wright of Louisville Male Traditional High School in
Louisville, KY
- Glenn Zwanzig Jr. of duPont Manual High School in Louisville,
KY
Massachusetts
- Marilyn Del Donno of The Cambridge School of Weston in Weston,
MA
- Stacey Smiar of Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge, MA
Rhode Island
- Howard Chun of Cranston High School East in Cranston, RI
- Jennifer Jendzejec of Washington Oak School in Coventry, RI
Washington
- John Elyard of Trout Lake School of Trout Lake, WA
- Steven Westerside of Odle Middle School in Bellevue, WA
Puerto Rico
- Laylannie Torres Gonzalez of Francisco Torres School in Las
Piedras, Puerto Rico
- Sol Enid Leon Leon of Manuel Martin Monserrate School in Santa
Isabel, Puerto Rico
- Wanda Pena of Natividad Rodriguez Gonzalez School in Arroyo,
Puerto Rico
- Ana Rosado Torres of Luz A. Cruz de Santana School in Humacao,
Puerto Rico
Amgen established the teacher awards program to demonstrate the
company's commitment to advancing science education. Since the
program's inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than one million
dollars to educators who have made exceptional science-teaching
contributions and who have had a measurable impact on the lives of
their students.
"Each of the award recipients has demonstrated their ability to
assess the needs of their students, develop innovative educational
techniques and inspire science learning in their students. We are
grateful to their dedication to students and we are thrilled to honor
them as the 2006 Amgen Science Teacher Award winners," said Phyllis
Piano, vice president of Corporate Communications and Philanthropy,
Amgen.
The 15 selected winners within the United States will receive the
following benefits:
- An unrestricted cash award of $5,000;
- A restricted $5,000 cash grant to the recipient's school for
the expansion or enhancement of a school science program,
science resources, or the professional development of the
school's science teachers; and,
- Recognition at an awards banquet.
In Puerto Rico, four teachers will be honored, each receiving an
unrestricted cash award of $2,500 and a restricted $2,500 cash grant.
Nominations are solicited every Fall and a panel of independent
judges selects the winners based on the following criteria: creativity
of teaching method; effectiveness in the classroom; motivational
ability; instructional ability; and the plan for the use of grant
money to improve science education resources in their schools.
For more information about this year's winners and the program,
please visit http://www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste.html.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human
therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the
first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe
and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient.
Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping
millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer,
kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses.
With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen
remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve
people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our
vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be
accessed via our Web site at www.amgen.com. Journalists and media
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electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in
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CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Mary Klem, 805-447-4587 (media)
SOURCE: Amgen