Post by title1parent on May 14, 2009 6:17:30 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1573657,2_1_AU14_IMSABEST_S1.article
IMSA named nation's top school for science
May 14, 2009
By LINDA GIRARDI For The Beacon News
AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has been named the top high school in the nation for science education in a program sponsored by the Intel Foundation.
Each year, only one high school across the country is selected for the Intel Schools of Distinction honor.
"I was bubbling over ... speechless -- it is a great honor," said Max McGee, president of IMSA.
IMSA is a state-supported boarding school for top high school students in math and science across Illinois. About 650 students attend the school at Sullivan and Randall roads on Aurora's West Side.
The annual awards recognize U.S. schools that implement innovative math and science programs and serve as role models for other schools. The Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies distribute $1 million in grants and awards to winning schools.
Other finalists in the science category were Oakcliff Elementary in Doraville, Ga., and Palm Desert Middle School in Palm Desert Calif. The three schools in mathematics were Cedar Park Elementary School in Trumann, Ariz., Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science in the Bronx, N.Y., and Lynn English High School in Lynn, Mass.
McGee said it is a rigorous process to apply for the award, requiring a team effort at IMSA. The first round was based on a comprehensive written application. During the second round, Intel representatives spent a full day meeting with IMSA staff members, board members and students in a non-scripted setting.
McGee said he considers the Intel award in the top five highlights of all his years in the profession.
It demonstrates that IMSA is living its mission statement, he said.
"When Intel could read what was on the application, compare it to our mission statement and see it in person, it makes the award even more special," McGee said. "Intel has been known as having a standard of excellence in innovation, technology, creativity and giving back."
McGee said Intel encourages young people to focus on science and math because they are essential for America's future, not solely in the terms of economics but in terms of making people's lives better across the globe.
"Like Intel, we are committed to reaching out and helping students become scientists, mathematicians, technologists and engineers, even if they do not attend IMSA. We work with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students across Illinois. They see IMSA as a laboratory and not just another school," McGee said.
Each of the six schools receive a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package including curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $100,000 per school.
The recipient of Intel's "Star Innovator" award will be announced in September in Washington, D.C.
IMSA named nation's top school for science
May 14, 2009
By LINDA GIRARDI For The Beacon News
AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has been named the top high school in the nation for science education in a program sponsored by the Intel Foundation.
Each year, only one high school across the country is selected for the Intel Schools of Distinction honor.
"I was bubbling over ... speechless -- it is a great honor," said Max McGee, president of IMSA.
IMSA is a state-supported boarding school for top high school students in math and science across Illinois. About 650 students attend the school at Sullivan and Randall roads on Aurora's West Side.
The annual awards recognize U.S. schools that implement innovative math and science programs and serve as role models for other schools. The Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies distribute $1 million in grants and awards to winning schools.
Other finalists in the science category were Oakcliff Elementary in Doraville, Ga., and Palm Desert Middle School in Palm Desert Calif. The three schools in mathematics were Cedar Park Elementary School in Trumann, Ariz., Urban Assembly for Applied Math and Science in the Bronx, N.Y., and Lynn English High School in Lynn, Mass.
McGee said it is a rigorous process to apply for the award, requiring a team effort at IMSA. The first round was based on a comprehensive written application. During the second round, Intel representatives spent a full day meeting with IMSA staff members, board members and students in a non-scripted setting.
McGee said he considers the Intel award in the top five highlights of all his years in the profession.
It demonstrates that IMSA is living its mission statement, he said.
"When Intel could read what was on the application, compare it to our mission statement and see it in person, it makes the award even more special," McGee said. "Intel has been known as having a standard of excellence in innovation, technology, creativity and giving back."
McGee said Intel encourages young people to focus on science and math because they are essential for America's future, not solely in the terms of economics but in terms of making people's lives better across the globe.
"Like Intel, we are committed to reaching out and helping students become scientists, mathematicians, technologists and engineers, even if they do not attend IMSA. We work with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students across Illinois. They see IMSA as a laboratory and not just another school," McGee said.
Each of the six schools receive a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package including curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $100,000 per school.
The recipient of Intel's "Star Innovator" award will be announced in September in Washington, D.C.