AGI Announces Winner of 2011 Edward C. Roy Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching

Alexandria, VA — Greer Lynn Harvell, a teacher at Clifford C. Meigs Middle School in Shalimar, Florida, has been named the 2011 recipient of the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching.

Mrs. Harvell began her career teaching first grade at Elliot Point Elementary where she also later taught 4th grade. Since 2005, she has taught both 7th and 8th grade at Clifford Meigs. Harvell received her A.A. from Okaloosa Walton Junior College (1981) and her B.S. in Education from the University of West Florida (1990).

“We were excited to read about the way in which Mrs. Harvell helps her students to generate and investigate their own questions about the world,” says Ann E. Benbow, Ph.D., AGI Director of Education. “This is the kind of learning that stays with students throughout their lives.”

Dr. Lamar White, Principal of Clifford C. Meigs Middle School, says, “As an instructor, Mrs. Harvell’s main strength is her ability to relate to her students and share their wonder and excitement over scientific discoveries no matter how small.”

Because of her enthusiasm for encouraging scientific exploration, Mrs. Harvell is an active and involved earth science teacher. In the past, she has collaborated with students at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center to conduct research using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). She has presented at STEM and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conferences, coached the academic team, and teams for both the Tech Bowl and the first Lego Robotics competitions, plus she has been a volunteer judge at various science fairs for elementary and middle schools in her district.

Given annually, the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award recognizes one classroom teacher from kindergarten to eighth grade for his or her leadership and innovation in earth science education. This award is named in honor of Dr. Edward C. Roy, Jr., who was a strong and dedicated supporter of earth science education.

Mrs. Harvell will be presented with the Edward C. Roy, Jr. Award at the 2011 NSTA National Conference in San Francisco, California. Other finalists for the 2011 award are Amy Clapp of Salisbury Community School in Salisbury, Vermont, and Jan L. French of Cincinnati Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio.