Fairview Elementary's Megan Leskanic is one of twenty-six science teachers that have been named regional winners in the annual Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. Sponsored by Shell USA, Inc. (Shell) and administered by the National Science Teaching Association(NSTA), the competition encouraged K–12 teachers who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package.
“These conscientious and creative science teachers have overcome many obstacles associated with having limited resources to provide their students with high-quality lab experiences,” said Dr. Beverly DeVore-Wedding, NSTA President. “We commend these regional winners for their ingenuity and their dedication to their students.”
To enter the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge, K–12 science teachers located in select school districts near Shell assets were asked to describe their school’s current laboratory resources, explain why laboratory upgrade support is needed, and outline their approach to science education instruction using their school’s current lab facilities. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries. The elementary-level regional winners each receive a school science lab makeover support package valued at $15,000, and middle and high school–level regional winners each receive a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.
The regional winners will now advance to the national phase of the competition, during which they will have a chance to win an additional $5,000 of support to attend a future NSTA National Conference. All national winners will be honored during a special evening celebration during the conference.