Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

4/1/08

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn Mountainview High School Science Teacher Wins
$10,000 Amgen Award

On April 1, Auburn Mountainview High School science teacher Deborah Rumbaugh was awarded the Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence (AASTE) in a surprise presentation.

Ms. Rumbaugh is one of four educators in Washington State being recognized for teaching excellence through creative and effective contributions in the science classroom. Auburn Mountainview High School Principal Bob Odman, Auburn School District Superintendent Linda Cowan, and Jessica and Tess, two of Ms. Rumbaugh’s daughters, attended the surprise presentation in Ms. Rumbaugh’s 8 a.m. Advanced Placement Biology class. Two of Ms. Rumbaugh’s students congratulated her in front of their classmates and shared just how much knowledge and passion for science Ms. Rumbaugh has passed on to them.

Ms. Rumbaugh will receive an unrestricted cash grant of $5,000, and Auburn Mountainview High School will receive a restricted grant of $5,000 to be used to expand or enhance the school’s science program, purchase new science resources, or further the professional development of its science teachers.

The Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence is an annual awards program that recognizes extraordinary contributions by educators across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada who are elevating the level of science literacy through creativity in the classroom and motivation of students. An independent panel of judges selects the winners based on the following criteria: creativity of teaching methods; effectiveness in the classroom; the plan for the use of grant money to improve science education resources in their schools; an innovative science lesson plan showcasing innovative methods in the classroom; and a plan for dissemination/sharing the lesson plan with other teachers.

Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer, discovers, develops, manufactures and markets important human therapeutics for serious illnesses. Amgen is committed to dramatically improving people’s lives, not only through the therapeutics it delivers to patients but also through supporting programs that advance science literacy throughout North America.

Since the program’s inception in 1992, Amgen has awarded more than $1.7 million to public and private school science teachers, grades K-12, in communities in which Amgen operates.

For more information, contact Amy Spence, Auburn School District public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.