Kamehameha Schools Hawaii campus chemistry teacher Joel Truesdell was awarded the 2017 National Science Teachers Association Shell Science Teaching Award during the NSTA’s awards gala March 31 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles.
Kamehameha Schools Hawaii campus chemistry teacher Joel Truesdell was awarded the 2017 National Science Teachers Association Shell Science Teaching Award during the NSTA’s awards gala March 31 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles.
The Shell Science Teaching Award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K-12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school and community through exemplary classroom science teaching.
During 30 years of classroom teaching, Truesdell evolved from a traditional lecturer to a culture-based teacher, including aspects of Hawaiian culture in lessons and labs. Five years ago, he converted his chemistry curriculum so students learn science through the lens of Hawaiian culture.
“If students are excited about the topic and recognize its relevance to them, they will take the topic to a greater depth,” Truesdell said. “The real secret is to build on students’ prior knowledge and to weave each topic into more complex activities.”
The Science Teaching Award is sponsored by Shell. Three finalists receive a citation and travel expenses to attend the upcoming NSTA National Conference.