DoDEA

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA — April 14, 2005 — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) proudly announces that Michael Roylance is the winner of the 2004 Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science Teaching.

The Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science Teaching were established in 1983 by an Act of Congress and are administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation . Each year the program recognizes outstanding mathematics and science teachers from across the United States and four U.S. jurisdictions for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. In addition to honoring individual achievement, the goal of the Awards is to expand and exemplify the definition of excellent science and mathematics teaching. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspirations to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

Roylance, who teaches science at the Kindergarten through sixth grade level at Landstuhl Elementary/Middle School says his students "love anything that involves manipulatives." As one example, they build "air cars," propeller-driven cars that can travel at least two meters. Roylance says his job is to keep them interested and excited about science "so when they leave my classroom they go onto middle and high school thinking science is cool." Roylance encourages his students to take risks and question everything. "I actually love it when my students get the wrong answer," he says. "I tell them, 'Now we've learned something.' Having been a scientist in the oil industry, I tell them when I had to build an oil well we only had a 1-in-10 chance of striking oil, and they're doing better than that."

"We're very proud of Mr. Roylance and the exceptional work that he does on behalf of our students" said Dr. Elizabeth Middlemiss, Principal Deputy Director for DoDEA, he embodies the spirit of DoDEA's commitment to excellence in education.