TAMU-Q award for best math, science teacher

DOHA: Texas A&M University at Qatar’s (TAMU-Q) second World Congress on Engineering Education (WCEE) has launched a new annual award and cash prize for Qatar’s top high school teacher of math and sciences.
The congress will be held in partnership with Maersk Oil Qatar, providing an important forum for discussing best practices in engineering education. 
The inaugural World Congress on Engineering Education was held in January and attracted hundreds of educators and researchers to Doha. 
“The Congress brought together many of the world’s top scholars on engineering education and research, and their discussions are already influencing how we approach teaching and learning for engineering students in Qatar and beyond,” said Dr Mark Weichold, Dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar.
“These discussions would not have been possible without support from our industry partner, Maersk Oil, and we look forward to continuing that conversation at the second WCEE in November 2014.”
The Congress also highlighted the importance of math and science education for middle and high school students, Weichold said, and inspired organisers to create an award to recognise Qatar’s top teacher of math and sciences. “Students must have strong skills in math and sciences to succeed in undergraduate engineering programmes, and we want to recognise outstanding teachers in Qatar who provide that foundation,” Weichold said.
A selection committee will review nomination packets and choose the winning teacher, who will receive a cash prize of QR20,000. Details about the competition are available at www.stem.qa 
The Managing Director of Maersk Oil Qatar, Lewis Affleck, said a focus on youth initiatives in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — is a key element of Maersk Oil’s support for the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s development of a knowledge-based society.
“We are delighted to partner with Texas A&M University Qatar for this pioneering forum for the second year running. Maersk Oil Qatar recognizes both the importance of nurturing and developing local talent in STEM disciplines, and the value of high standards in engineering education as a key component in achieving a highly skilled workforce,” he said.
The WCEE plays an increasingly impactful role in this area, while the new STEM Educator award will recognise the vital contribution that exceptional teachers make to student development, Affleck said.
The Peninsula