Nominations Open for the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence
11.02.2006
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30 Outstanding Teachers Will Be Recognized in Communities Where Amgen Operates
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2006--Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN), today announced a call for nominations for its 16th annual Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence. This award is designed to recognize and honor extraordinary science teachers at the K-12 level, who significantly impact their students through exemplary science teaching and who achieve demonstrated results in student learning in communities where Amgen operates.
With a longstanding commitment to science education, Amgen established the teacher awards program to promote and encourage science excellence in public and private schools. Since the program's inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than $1 million to educators who have made exceptional science-teaching contributions and who have significantly impacted the lives of their students. Amgen is expanding its program this year, and will honor a total of 30 teachers in California, Colorado, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, and Washington.
"At Amgen, we believe that extraordinary educators spark a lifetime interest in science," said Phyllis Piano, vice president Corporate Communications and Philanthropy. "This year, we are proud to expand the program to honor additional science teachers across the nation."
The 30 selected winners within the United States and Puerto Rico will receive the following benefits:
-- An unrestricted cash award of $5,000;
-- A restricted $5,000 cash grant to the recipient's school for
the expansion or enhancement of a school science program,
science resources, or the professional development of the
school's science teachers;
-- Recognition at an awards banquet and within Amgen corporate
materials.
Another new aspect of this year's program is that applicants are required to submit an innovative lesson plan that they have successfully incorporated into their classroom and can be shared with other teachers. A panel of independent judges will select the winners based on the lesson plan as well as the following criteria: creativity of teaching methods; effectiveness in the classroom and the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools.
Those interested in nominating an outstanding teacher should visit http://www.amgen.com/citizenship/aaste.html for more information. Nominations must be postmarked by January 31, 2007 to be valid. Winners will be notified in April 2007.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An electronic version of this news release may be accessed via our Web site at www.amgen.com. Journalists and media representatives may sign up to receive all news releases electronically at time of announcement by filling out a short form in the Media section of the Web site.
CONTACT: Amgen, Thousand Oaks
Sarah Rockwell, 805-447-9953 (media)
SOURCE: Amgen