TORONTO, April 10, 2001 -- The Directors of the York/Seneca Institute for Science, Technology and Education (YSISTE) are pleased to announce the winners of the first annual YSISTE Teacher Fellowships.

John Caranci, Program Team Leader for Mathematics and Science at Earl Haig Secondary School, and Otto Wevers, a Science and Technology teacher at Zion Heights Junior High School -- both of the Toronto District School Board -- have been awarded fellowships to spend five months in residence at Seneca@York (located at York University's Keele Campus) during the 2001/2002 academic year.

Caranci has been awarded the Secondary School Fellowship. This fellowship will enable him to conduct a study of high school science teachers’ current assessment practices and will provide the basis for a new YSISTE program of in-service teacher education in this area.

Wevers has been awarded the Elementary School Fellowship. During his fellowship he will create learning and assessment activities in the area of technological design to aid science and technology teaching.

"This fellowship program ensures all participants benefit," said YSISTE Director and York Faculty of Education Prof. Graham Orpwood. "Teachers have a half-year sabbatical from the classroom; schools get a useful project completed to support improved teaching in science and technology; and YSISTE benefits from the presence of experienced teachers."

Laurel Schollen, YSISTE Director and co-dean of Seneca's Faculty of Technology said, "Seneca College is pleased to play host to these outstanding educators and to underline our commitment to support science and technology in schools. We look forward to working with them in enhancing education in this area."

The YSISTE Teacher Fellowship program is sponsored by four publishing companies: GTK Press, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Nelson Thomson Learning, and Pearson Education Canada. Their donations enable the teachers to be replaced in their classrooms for the duration of their fellowships.

YSISTE is a joint institute of York University and Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology which is dedicated to the enhancement of science education at elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels. It is supported by the Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation and by other private and public sector partners.

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For further information, please contact:

Graham Orpwood, YSISTE Director
Faculty of Education, York University
(416) 736-5269

Laurel Schollen, YSISTE Director
Faculty of Technology, Seneca College
(416) 491-5050, ext. 3775

Ken Turriff
Media Relations, York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086

Laura Mandell
Marketing & Communications, Seneca College
(416) 491-5050, ext. 2352
YU/044/01