Schools

Tam High Science Teacher Nabs $10k Amgen Award

April Tucker is honored by biotech giant for "elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom and motivation of students."

science teacher April Tucker’s innovative “flip teaching” style has landed her an Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence, an honor that doles out a $5,000 unrestricted grant for her and another $5,000 for Tam High to be used for its science program.

Amgen's 20-year-old annual awards program “recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who are elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom and motivation of students,” according to the biotech giant.

Tucker employs the so-called “flip teaching” style, in which teachers record lectures to be viewed by students at home, thereby freeing up students for plenty of hands-on time in the classroom and labs. about the teaching format earlier this year.

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“Science should be hands-on, connected to the world and relevant for students,” Tucker said in a statement. “It’s also a time to experiment, think critically, engage with one another and solve problems.”


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