SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1997-8673

By Senators McDonald, Patterson and Heavey

     WHEREAS, The State of Washington applauds those educators who promote and encourage an interest in science by providing quality science experiences for students and teachers; and

     WHEREAS, Jane Morton and Judi Backman have been named to the 1997 Honor Roll of Teachers by the Association of Science‑Technology Centers and Pacific Science Center for their exemplary use of community resources to enhance and expand the science enrichment opportunities available to students and teachers; and

     WHEREAS, Jane Morton, a teacher of kindergarten and first grade at Ardmore Elementary in Bellevue, Washington, and the Elementary Level Science Specialist for the Bellevue School District, has done a great deal to enhance science education at Ardmore Elementary and other schools in the Bellevue School District by promoting involvement in interactive science programs; organizing scholarships for Bellevue students to attend field study programs at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center; organizing teams of children and teachers to participate in Pacific Science Center's Science Champions program; and helping to establish the WasteBusters environmental education program in the Bellevue School District; and

     WHEREAS, Judi Backman, Science Curriculum Coordinator for the thirty-one schools and over eighteen thousand students in the Highline School District, has expanded the science enrichment opportunities available to Highline students and for science teachers across the state by providing venues for Pacific Science Center's Science Education Associates to teach their yearly interactive science workshops; by bringing teams of children and adults to the Science Champions program; by assisting the STAFF Leadership program in providing district‑wide training to rural school districts; and through her leadership role in the WISE‑STEP program, contributing to the state-wide improvement of science teachers' professional development; and

     WHEREAS, Jane Morton and Judi Backman, along with approximately forty other educators being named to the 1997 Honor Roll of Teachers, will be honored in Washington, D.C., on May 1 and 2, 1997, before members of Congress; and

     WHEREAS, The National Science Foundation has declared April 20 through April 26, 1997, National Science and Technology Week to convey the importance of science to the nation;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate commend Jane Morton and Judi Backman for their outstanding efforts as science educators; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate commend Pacific Science Center for its dedication to providing interactive science, mathematics, and technology education to students and teachers throughout the State of Washington; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Jane Morton, Judi Backman, and the Directors of the Association of Science‑Technology Centers and Pacific Science Center.