Efforts recognized for bringing biotechnology to the classroom

ROYAL CITY - Royal High School teacher Mario Godoy-Gonzalez was named a finalist for an award recognizing his efforts to bring biotechnology to the classroom.

Godoy-Gonzalez and nine other individuals nationwide were selected as finalists for the 2008 Genzyme-Invitrogen Biotech Educator Award. He is the only finalist in Washington state.

The award is sponsored by Genzyme Corporation and The Invitrogen Foundation and will be presented June 12 in San Diego, Calif. First prize is $10,000, second prize is $5,000, and third prize is $2,500. Other finalists receive $1,000.

"These educators are nominated from among more than 1,000 outstanding teachers in our National Biotechnology Teacher-Leader Program," stated Biotechnology Institute President Paul A. Hanle. "The nominees are at the forefront of the institution's mission to educate teachers and students about the promise and achievements of biotechnology."

A definition of biotechnology is "the use of organisms by man," according to the institution's Web site.

Godoy-Gonzalez, who teaches science and English as a second language, said in 1995 or 1996 he became involved with a program called Science Education Partnership, through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. From the program he gained mentors, as well as kits for the classroom offering biotechnology learning.

With the kits, Godoy-Gonzalez brought biotechnology to Royal High School.

"Teaching biotechnology has been a rewarding experience, and I love to do what I'm doing, and I'm sure it will benefit my students and all the students in general," Godoy-Gonzalez said.

He said biotechnology has been in use a long time, but it only recently went by the term biotechnology. Some examples are the making of cheese and making of bread.

Godoy-Gonzalez said he wants students to be informed about biotechnology. Five of his students are attending the Student Biotechnology Expo in Bellevue on Wednesday, marking the fifth time he has taken students to the event.

"Royal High School is the only school on this side of the Cascades selected to participate in the Student Biotechnology Expo," Godoy-Gonzalez said.

Students are presenting their research on subjects such as biofuels, and the molecular modeling of the anabolic steroid PHT.

The students have mentors in Seattle, Idaho, and at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Godoy-Gonzalez said.

In addition to teaching students about biotechnology, Godoy-Gonzalez guides teachers on their profession. He taught colleagues how to perform biotechnology labs through the National Science Teachers Association and the Society for the Advancement for Chicanos and Native Americans in Science.