INDIANAPOLIS (March 3, 2008) - Governor Daniels today announced a new state award to recognize Indiana's top high school talent in math and science. The Hoosier High School Math and Science Awards will be given each year to the state's best high school math student and best science student.
"Every spring, we celebrate with excitement the selection of Mr. and Miss Basketball," said Daniels. "It's past time that we hold academic achievement in the same esteem and emphasize the decisive importance that ability in math and science will play in Indiana's future."
All Indiana high school students are eligible to receive the award and can apply online. Nominations from teachers, principals and other school staff members will also be accepted. Application criteria will include such information as SAT, ACT and Advanced Placement scores, awards and prizes as well as grades received in math and science courses. Winners, who will be acknowledged as Mr. or Miss Math or Science, respectively, will be selected by a committee of high school math and science teachers, curriculum experts from the Indiana Department of Education, and the Governor's Office.
"A strong foundation of math and science skills has never been more critical than it is today, and this is a great opportunity to recognize and to encourage our students to excel in these areas," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed.
The award was developed with input from the Indiana Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (I-STEM) Network, the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc. (HASTI), the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) and the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents.
Applications are available online at https://secure.in.gov/apps/mathscienceawards/. The deadline to apply is April 4. Winners will be announced before the end of the school year.
-30-
Link to this event: http://www.in.gov/newsroom.htm?detailContent=125_16277.htm