COLFAX – Colfax High School teacher Suzanna Gough Johnson was recognized Thursday as a recipient of the 2008 Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence in California.
Johnson will receive an unrestricted $5,000 grant and Colfax High School will receive a $5,000 grant to enhance science programs, resources and professional development, according to a news release.
Johnson, who used to teach at Silverado Middle School in Roseville, is one of five Amgen Award recipients this year.
They were selected based on innovative science lesson plans, creativity of teaching methods, effectiveness in the classroom and their plan for using the grant money, Amgen spokeswoman Kristen Davis said.
Last year, Johnson developed forensic projects to teach chemistry lessons. Her students also have participated in classroom debates about climate change and played games, such as Jeopardy, to help remember scientific facts.
The biotechnology firm has awarded more than $2 million to science educators. For more information, visit www.amgen.com.
– Lakiesha McGhee
