Ohaus Gustav Award Program

gustav-award

For over 40 years, OHAUS has been recognizing innovations that have the potential to improve science teaching at all educational levels: Each year one winner receives an all-expenses paid trip to the NSTA National Conference, a cash prize and free OHAUS™ products for their school.

OHAUS is happy to announce that this year's winner is Nancy Foote of Sossaman Middle School in Queen Creek, Arizona. Nancy's submission, titled "Can't Buy Me Time," incorporates a host of classroom strategies aimed at maximizing her students' effective use of classroom time, from bell work when attendance is taken through the end of class. She's incorporated elements of a flipped classroom in order to provide even more opportunities for her students to learn during the short time they are with her. 

Nancy received her B.S. in chemistry (minor in physics) from Loyola University of Chicago. After working as an industrial chemist, she earned her M.Ed. from Arizona State University. Holding a National Board Certification in mathematics, Nancy spent 30 years as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and elementary school principal, and is currently a math and science teacher for the Higley Unified School District.

Nancy has received many awards, including the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the 2013 Arizona Middle School Science Teacher of the Year Award, the 2015 Best of Gilbert (Middle School Teacher), the 2015 Gilbert Community Excellence Award, the 2017 Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year, and the 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks Most Valuable Teacher Award.

A proud Disney half-marathon runner, Nancy maintains a popular YouTube channel and is the author of several blogs, including the science blog “Science You Can Sink Your Teeth Into” and the educational technology blog “The Unintentional Geek.” Nancy is a recognized expert in blended learning, including the flipped classroom. Her latest book is Teacher Resource Guide to Chemistry.

Nancy can be contacted at nancyfootehigley@gmail.com.