June 2002
From American Chemical Society
Montgomery County chemistry teacher wins regional award Chemistry teacher Elena Andrys Pisciotta of Damascus High School in Damascus, Md., was honored May 29 by the world's largest scientific society for outstanding high school chemistry teaching. She was presented with the American Chemical Society Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching at the Society's Middle Atlantic regional meeting in Fairfax, Va.Pisciotta has inspired students throughout Montgomery, Carroll and Prince George's Counties for more than 30 years. She has taught general, honors and advanced placement chemistry and tailors her instruction to the unique needs of each group of students. She skillfully guides her students through difficult chemistry concepts as they make novel products, including lava lamps, s'mores, gold pennies, ice cream and paint. She is also committed to science education outside the classroom. Pisciotta has organized and presented at numerous chemical education workshops and conferences, and she writes high school chemistry curricula. Pisciotta received her B.S. and M.Ed. in chemistry education from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1968 and 1972 and has taken many additional courses. She resides in Olney, Md., with her husband Bill. She is proudest of the successes of her three daughters. The ACS Regional Award in High School Chemistry Teaching recognizes educators who challenge and inspire their students, provide high-quality instruction, and participate in extracurricular activities that stimulate young people's interest in chemistry. | |
