Newtown High School science teachers Tim DeJulio and Susan McConnell have been named district winners in the Shell Science Lab Challenge, a competition for middle and high school science teachers. Sponsored by Shell Oil Company and administered by National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the competition encourages sixth to twelfth grade teachers who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences in school.

From the 18 district winners nationwide, five national finalists are chosen, and from the finalists, one grand prize winner is selected.

At NHS, Mr DeJulio and Ms McConnell reinforce active, student-directed learning where teachers act as co-learners in the exploration of science.

Students regularly engage in activity-based learning: doing lab experiments, creating videos and presentations, and working on team projects.

Mr DeJulio and Ms McConnell would like to improve the high school's laboratory equipment to better prepare students for laboratory work in college and career. In some cases, simple upgrades could greatly improve educational outcomes. For example, upgrading labs to include temperature probes would help students develop skills in proper lab practices and data analysis, according to a release from the NSTA.

"Inquiry-based learning and hands-on experimentation are key elements for encouraging student interest in science," said Shell Oil Company Foundation Vice President and Shell Oil Company Social Investment Manager Dr Frazier Wilson. "The Shell Science Lab Challenge strives to support inquiry-based instructional practices of our science teachers and excite students about the wonders and possibilities of science through active learning that emphasizes questioning, data analysis, and critical thinking. Exemplary science teaching is more relevant when it occurs in a quality lab environment where science concepts can be explored by students."

NSTA Executive Director Dr David Evans said, "We are tremendously proud of all of the district winners. Their unique ideas and creative approaches to teaching science produce new awareness and ways for us all to bring about positive change in education."

To enter the Shell Science Lab Challenge, sixth to twelfth grade science teachers in North America were asked to describe their school's current laboratory resources, explain how the school's laboratory facilities could be improved, and describe the school's approach to science education instruction. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries.

As district winners, the teachers and their school will receive a $3,000 science lab prize package that includes a $1,000 Shell grant to purchase lab equipment and other science education resources, $1,000 in donated science lab equipment donated by Carolina Biological Supply Company, a $300 gift certificate to the NSTA Science Store, one year NSTA membership for two teachers, NSTA Learning Center subscription for two teachers, and paid registration for two teachers to attend a 2018 NSTA Area Conference on Science Education.