Purpose: To recognize, encourage, and stimulate outstanding teachers of high school chemistry in the United States, its possessions or territories, at the national level.
Nature: The award consists of $5,000 and a certificate. Up to $2,500 for travel expenses to the meeting at which the award will be presented will be reimbursed. A certificate will also be provided to the recipient's institution for display.
The nomination should include a nominee-authored statement of not more than 500 words which describes the nominee's beliefs about teaching and learning, how those beliefs have developed, and specific examples of how those beliefs have been put into practice. This statement should be included in the section where any publications or patents are listed.
One support letter is required. A second support letter is optional, but strongly encouraged. Support letters may include careful evaluations of the teacher's effectiveness by a supervisor or principal, by associates, or by members of the Society who have visited the nominee's classes. Letters from currently enrolled high school students are not acceptable, but letters from former students may be included. Retired teachers are not eligible for this award.
Establishment & Support: The Journal of Chemical Education and ChemEdX endowed the award in 2017. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. sponsored the award from 2007 to 2016. The ACS sponsored the award in 1973, 1974, 2005, and 2006. The Albemarle Corp. sponsored the award from 1994 to 2004. The award was sponsored by the Ethyl Corporation from 1980 to 1993 and by the Chemical Education Material Study from 1975 to 1979. The award was established in 1965 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. which supported it from 1967 to 1972.
2018 recipient Brian John Kennedy (second to left) is presented his award by sponsor representative, Ellen J. Yezierski (second to right), Norbert J. Pienta (right), and Peter K. Dorhout, ACS President (left).