ARLINGTON, Va.—August 9, 2021—Thirty-six science teachers have been named regional winners in the annual Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge. Sponsored by Shell Oil Company 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.

“We are extremely proud of this year’s lab challenge winners. Their innovative approaches, creative ideas, and unwavering commitment to give their very best to their students—and to the community, as they engage and motivate the STEM leaders of tomorrow—is commendable and inspiring,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, VP, Shell Oil Company Foundation Director, Workforce Development and Diversity Outreach. “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to partner with teachers to help in furthering quality science education in the classroom.”

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 describe their approach to science education instruction utilizing their school’s current lab facilities. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries.

“During an unbelievably challenging and unprecedented year, these amazing educators went above and beyond to teach and engage their students in science. I am inspired by their resilience and resourcefulness,” said Dr. Elizabeth Allan, NSTA Retiring President. “Congratulations to all the regional winners and best of luck on the next phase of the competition.”

The regional winners each received a school science lab makeover support package valued at $10,000 (for the elementary and middle levels) and $15,000 (for the high school level). The winning teachers now advance to the national phase of the competition, where they will have a chance to win an additional $5,000 of support to attend a future NSTA National Conference on Science Education, where they will be honored at a Shell reception and Teachers Awards Gala.

Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge Regional Winners

Carson Asset

• Elementary Level: Dan Bonn, Towne Avenue Elementary School, Carson, California
• Middle Level: Brendan Leyden, Andrew Carnegie Middle School Carson, California
• High School Level: Matthew Medrano, Carson Senior High School (ESET), Carson, California

Convent Asset

• Elementary Level: Amanda Robinson, Doyle Elementary School, Livingston, Louisiana
• Elementary Level: Karen Parrino, North Live Oak Elementary School, Watson, Louisiana
• High School Level: Courtney Blanchard, Lutcher High School, Lutcher, Louisiana

Deer Park Asset

• Middle Level: Jeffrey Gale, Fairmont Junior High School, Pasadena, Texas
• High School Level: Cody Tilton, Deer Park High School – South Campus, Deer Park, Texas
• High School Level: Sanjay Gupta, The Summit High School, Pasadena, Texas

Geismar Asset

• Elementary Level: Kali Rogers, Wildwood Elementary School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Jaimie McQuarn, Lowery Middle School, Donaldsonville, Louisiana
• High School Level: Rhonda Matthews, McKinley Senior High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Houston Asset

• Elementary Level: Ritu Gandhi, Morales Elementary School, Pasadena, Texas
• Middle Level: Karina Patterson, Houston T-STEM and Early College Middle School, Houston, Texas
• High School Level: Kristy Hyatt, Waller High School, Waller, Texas

Kermit/Permian Asset

• Elementary Level: Kara Murrow, Greathouse Elementary School, Midland, Texas
• High School Level: Jessica Thomas, Pecos High School, Pecos, Texas
• High School Level: Erica Reagan, Midland High School, Midland, Texas

Mobile Asset

• Elementary Level: Gwenevere Jones, Craighead Elementary School, Mobile, Alabama
• Middle Level: Patricia Houston, Clark Shaw Magnet School, Mobile, Alabama
• High School Level: Rebecca Mullins, Murphy High School, Mobile, Alabama

Monaca Asset

• Elementary Level: Karen Medved, Riverside Elementary School, Riverside, Pennsylvania
• High School Level: Craig Whipkey, Central Valley High School, Monaca, Pennsylvania
• High School Level: Michael Benedum, Rochester High School, Rochester, Pennsylvania

New Orleans Asset

• Elementary Level: Kimberly Savoy, Einstein Charter School – Sherwood Forest, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Kristie Fraught, St. Tammaney Junior High School, Slidell, Louisiana
• High School Level: Kevin Daly, International High School of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana

Norco Asset

• Elementary Level: Tracy Cambre, Norco Elementary School, Norco, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Jennifer Green, R.K. Smith Middle School, Luling, Louisiana
• High School Level: Allison Breaux, Destrehan High School, Destrehan, Louisiana

Port Allen Asset

• Elementary Level: Dereka Duncan, Cohn Elementary School, Port Allen, Louisiana
• Middle Level: Samantha Mendenhall, Port Allen Middle School, Port Allen, Louisiana
• High School Level: Brittany Nelson, Port Allen High School, Port Allen, Louisiana

Puget Sound Asset

• Elementary Level: Sue Malone, Clear Lake Elementary School, Clear Lake, Washington
• Elementary Level: Roberta Carlson, Jefferson Elementary School, Mt. Vernon, Washington
• High School Level: Scott Conlan, Sedro-Woolley High School, Sedro-Woolley, Washington

For more information about the Challenge, visit the competition web site.

About NSTA
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field.

About Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 20,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.

FOR INQUIRIES CONTACT: Shell Oil Company Media Line 832-33-SHELL

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Contact:
Kate Falk, NSTA
(703) 312-9211
kfalk@nsta.org