Award V: Implications of Research for Educational Practice recognizes the best paper submitted for nomination and presented at the last ASTE conference.  The paper must identify a persistent and recurring problem in the practice of science teacher education and develop strategies to resolve the problem based upon a comprehensive synthesis of relevant research and interpret theory and research for practice.

Our award winner this year is Dr. Claudette Giscombe for her paper entitled, "Pathways to success in science: A phenomenological study examining the life experiences of African-American women in higher education."

Dr. Claudette Giscombe (pictured with Beth Klein, ASTE awards committee chair) is an award winning researcher and educator who received a doctorate in Science Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has served nationally and internationally in teaching, research, and educational administration; is a motivational speaker; and has served on numerous school, community, and church boards. Her expertise and strengths are the result of thirty-five years of diverse and extensive teaching experiences in science and science education at the secondary and tertiary levels where she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Her scholarly works include publications in peer-reviewed science journals and innovative research in social justice, focusing on women and the under-representation of minority groups in science.  She is also a featured author in the upcoming book, Women's Experiences in Leadership in K-16 Science Education Communities: Becoming and Being. Her dedication to education pales in comparison to the love and commitment she has for her husband and two children.  She is married to a loving husband, Bert.  They were blessed with the special gift of children, Kamilah and Omari.   Claudette says, "I live everyday remembering that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4: 13)