Winners of Remaining Award Categories to Be Announced at Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards November 19, 2009, at the Orpheum Theatre; Nominations Open Until July 31
The Arizona Technology Council in partnership with the Arizona Department of Commerce today announced the 2009 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) Future Innovators and Teacher of the Year award winners. Sponsored by UMB Bank Arizona N.A., these awards recognize the "Best of the Best" of the Arizona Engineering and Science Fairs (grades 9-12) for the year 2008. The winning teacher will receive a $1,000 cash award, and each of the winning students will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The winners were selected by a committee independent of the Council. The winners in their respective categories are:
Teacher of the Year Award Winner:
- Dr. Michael Frank, Empire High School; Courses Taught: Biology (Honors and AP) and Physics (Reg. and Honors). Dr. Frank actively promotes the idea that the best way to teach science and instill a fundamental understanding of how it works is by having students design and carry out original experiments. Thanks in large part to Dr. Frank, this year the school had 248 students participate in their Science Fair with a total of 172 projects.
Future Innovators of the Year Award Winners:
- Ebaa Al-Obeidi, Canyon Del Oro High School; Category: Plant Science; Project: “Sonoran Solar Solution.”
- Scott Boisvert, Basha High School; Category: Microbiology; Project: “Growth of the Amphibian Pathogen in Response to the Chemical Properties of Aquatic Environments.”
- Rahul Mitra, Corona Del Sol High School; Category: Materials and Bioengineering; Project: “The Effect of Gold on the Superconducting Transition Temperature of Lead.”
- Michael Wallace, Tucson High Magnet School; Category: Environmental; Project: “Artificial Selection for Polystyrene Degradation in Bacterial Communities.”
"The Council is committed to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education in Arizona and is dedicated to supporting the efforts and outcomes of exceptional students and their teachers," said Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. "As Arizona's future innovators, it is important to recognize the best and the brightest by showcasing their experiences in the classroom and their extraordinary accomplishments."
The winners of the remaining categories will be announced at the annual GCOI event on November 19, 2009, at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 West Washington Street in Phoenix. Businesses, academia and non-profit organizations working in Arizona’s technology sector who are utilizing innovative technology solutions to address critical issues are all encouraged to apply. Nomination forms can be downloaded online at http://www.aztechcouncil.org or by e-mailing events@aztechcouncil.org, and are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009.
The early bird nomination fee (on or before July 1, 2009) for each entry is $35 for Arizona Technology Council members and $50 for non-members. After July 1, 2009, fees will increase to $55 and $75 respectively. Entry fees for non-members will be waived when accompanied by a new Arizona Technology Council membership application.
About the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation
The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation was established in 2003 by combining two technology award ceremonies: the High Tech Industry Cluster’s 17-year Innovator of the Year awards ceremony and the Arizona Software and Internet Association’s 10-year “Celebration of Innovation.” With the addition of the Governor’s support, the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind in Arizona. For more information on GCOI, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.
About the Arizona Technology Council
The Arizona Technology Council is a private, not-for-profit trade association founded to connect, represent and support the state's expanding technology industry. To promote economic growth and professional development in Arizona's technology sector, the Council provides members networking opportunities, business support and access to educational forums. The Council strives to distinguish Arizona as a leader in the technology community and offer resources that are exclusive to its members. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visit http://www.aztechcouncil.org.
Contacts:
LVA Communications
Linda Capcara,
480-229-7090
or
Arizona Technology Council
Leigh
Goldstein, 602-343-8324 x104
