Science teacher get awarded

Science teacher awarded scholarship for graduate work

one of 60 science teacher is nationwide at Lead-Deadwood High School selected for a scholarship program at Washington University in St. Louis.

Robin Dirksen will pursue a master's degree in biology through the Washington University Life Sciences for a Global Community program. Her full-tuition scholarship is funded by the National Science Foundation.

The Life Sciences for a Global Community program is designed to improve secondary biology education by preparing highly qualified master teachers who are also local and national leaders.

The program is a cooperative project of Washington University, St. Louis Public Schools and several corporate partners. The National Science Foundation has awarded the five-year project a grant for $3.88 million. The program is limited to between 90 and 100 teachers, with 30 scholarships reserved for teachers from the St. Louis area.

Dirksen is a member of the first group of 30 teachers who will start the program this summer. She will spend two summers at Washington University and continue working on her degree through the school year with online courses.

Upon successful completion of the master's program, Dirksen receives an $8,000 cash award.

Dirksen has taught at Lead-Deadwood High School since 2000. She teaches advanced biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology and physical science. She taught at Rapid City Central High School from 1994 to 2000.