May 16, 2006 > Chabot award goes to Newark instructor

by Judyth Collin

Chabot Space and Science Center is pleased to announce that Tom Collett, Earth Science and Astronomy instructor at Newark Memorial High School, is this year's recipient of the Accenture Teacher Award, to be presented at the Center's Gala on May 20.

Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, has created the "Accenture Teacher of the Year Award" in an effort to bring visibility to the importance of science education in the public schools. Accenture has chosen Chabot to administer and present the $5,000 award, which honors excellence in science teaching. Collett, a 13-year veteran at Newark Memorial High School, has created an Astronomy and Aerospace Science course, as well as the Marine Science and Technology Institute (MaST), a student run outreach program that trains high school students to become teachers and mentors to the community. Besides acting as director of MaST, Collett serves as a mentor for other teachers, writes grants for education initiatives and has coached teams to the National Finals in the Team America Rocketry Challenge - the world's largest model rocketry competition.

Students in the MaST program learn to operate a premier science outreach facility that includes an aquarium and a Starlab planetarium, provide instruction to elementary school visitors and host open houses and star parties for Newark schools. By showcasing their knowledge, students are encouraged to consider careers as science teachers, researchers and naturalists.

Chabot's Gala is a fundraiser to support the Center's educational and teacher training programs. The theme of this year's Gala is "Reach for the Stars," and highlights the achievements of students in Galaxy Explorers, a youth development and education program that puts 14 to 18 year old youth to work as the museum's floor staff and outreach officers. The Gala will also include presentation of the Chabot Science Award and will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner, award presentations and a live auction.

For more information, call (510) 336-7300, or visit www.chabotspace.org.

Chabot Science Awards Gala
Saturday, May 20
6 p.m.
10000 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland