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Presentation of the Outstanding High School
Chemistry Teacher Awards took place Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at
the Princeton ACS dinner meeting.
The purpose of this award, which is jointly sponsored by the
Princeton and Trenton sections, is to recognize, encourage and
stimulate teachers of high school chemistry. Teaching quality,
ability to challenge and inspire students, willingness to keep
up to date in the field, evidence of leadership, and
extracurricular work in chemistry are the criteria used to
select the winner. The award consists of a plaque and check for
$250.
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Paul Lucuski
(left) receiving plaque from Dr. Andrew
Bocarsly, 2008 Section Chair |
We are pleased to announce that
this year’s winners were Mr. Paul Lucuski from
Trenton Catholic Academy and Dr. Franco Paoletti
from Hightstown High School – East Windsor Regional
School District.
Paul Lucuski received a BS in Chemical Engineering
from Lehigh University in 1967 and his MA in Science
& Math Education from Trenton State College in 1973.
His teaching career spans thirty years, the last ten
of which have been at Trenton Catholic Academy where
he also serves as department chairman. He has
received numerous fellowships and research grants
from industry and education and has used the results
of his research to enhance the chemistry curriculum
in his classroom and enrich his students.
Since 2002, he has been affiliated with Rider
University and also been the Associate Director of
Project Seed. He has received numerous awards
including the 2007 Mercer County Science Teacher of
the Year
Dr. Paoletti received a Ph.D. Physics from the
University of Rome, Rome, Italy and an M.S.
Management and Leadership from Thomas Edison State
College, Trenton, NJ. Starting in 1989, he has held
various research positions in Academia and
Government Institutes in Europe and the United
States. He began teaching chemistry at Hightstown
High School in 2002.
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Franco
Paoletti (left) receiving plaque from Dr.
Andrew Bocarsly, 2008 Section Chair |
At Hightstown, he designed and
constructed a state-of the-art point of service
computer laboratory in his classroom as part of his
“Science of the Real World within the Classroom
Walls” project. To implement it, he secured funds
through grants from independent sources in the local
community. This lab is providing students with the
opportunity of performing science-related virtual
activities, which mimic real work environments.
In 2006, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce
recognized Dr. Paoletti for his innovative work in
applied-chemistry and the effort to integrate
real-world technology into instruction conferring
him the Educator Institute Teacher of the Year
award.
The Executive Boards of the Princeton and Trenton
Sections extend our most sincere congratulations to
Mr. Lucuski and Dr. Paoletti for these well-deserved
awards!
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