(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Becker Public Schools).

Reviewal of the Minnesota applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for 2021 has been completed. 

Missie Olson of BHS is one of the three finalists.

This year, the applications were for secondary teachers and next year will be for elementary teachers. The applications included a video recording and a narrative about the practices in science content, instruction, assessment, reflection and leadership. 

The applications of the finalists will be judged at the national level and the White House will make the final selection. There will be a Washington, DC celebration, possibly next spring. 

The Science finalists for this year are:

• Missie Olson, biology teacher at Becker Senior High School, presented an online experiment on homeostasis where the student groups directed the experiment:

• Meagan O’brien, Biology teacher, at Washington Technology Magnet in St. Paul, presented an online class on Virology that includes a delivered kit and has students teach someone about viruses;

• Anne Zielske, chemistry teacher at Harding High School in St. Paul, presented an online lesson using Lego blocks to model chemical formula ratios.