N. Idaho science teachers honored

Four North Idaho science teachers were among six statewide Friday to receive awards under the 2011 Governor’s Industry Award for Notable Teaching in Science (GIANTS) program.

Dennis Kimberling of Lakeland Junior High School in Rathdrum and Susan Hansen-Barber of Canyon Elementary Science Magnet School in Cataldo joined DaNel Huggins of Kuna High School and H. Michael Winston of Hobbs Middle School in Shelley to receive the awards, which include $2,000 in cash.

Honorable mention awards of $500 each were presented to Steven Braun of Troy High School and Mark Luhnow of Hayden Meadows Elementary School.

The GIANTS program recognizes teachers for efforts to link industry and the state’s economic future to the classroom through science and technology education, a news release from Gov. Butch Otter’s office said.

All the award recipients were nominated by the student council or parent groups for making science exciting, challenging and relevant. A cash prize of $500 goes to each school or student council that nominated award winners; with $100 cash prizes going to those who nominated honorable mention recipients.