Sherri Steward-Ganz
Grapevine High School
Grapevine, Texas

"Sharing my passion for adventure, my love of the natural sciences, and my experiences in the field are the cornerstone of my teaching. Long ago, I decided to take Thoreau's advice and I encourage every student to do the same: 'If you have built your castles in the air � that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.'"

"Sherri's professional life inspires in us all the courage to dream and the will to make great things happen for students -- and thus our nation, our world, and our collective future."

Over the past 25 years, Sherri and her band of enthusiastic scientists have refined the art of project-based learning. While studying global water quality, they decided to stamp out cholera at a small school in Africa by building a water well. Studying biodiversity and primate behavior, Sherri and her students teamed up with Dr. Jane Goodall to build a sanctuary for endangered primates in Africa. She encouraged her students to help her reclaim a 4-acre toxic waste dump adjacent to Grapevine High School-and created an outdoor science laboratory, which was featured in "Time" magazine. As "Scientific American Frontiers" Teacher Ambassador to the Galapagos Islands, Sherri recently joined PBS and host Alan Alda to create a "Cyber Field Trip," broadcast live to teachers and students around the world.

"She has devoted her entire life to making the world a better place, especially for children. If I can affect just one person in the way she has affected my life, I will have made a great accomplishment."

Other Highlights:

• "Time" magazine "Earth Teacher of the Year"
• National Science Teachers Association/CIBA's Exemplary Science Teaching Award
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science & Mathematics; Texas
• Texas Environmental Excellence Award
• The Jane Goodall Award for Environmental Education & Conservation
• The Tandy Prize for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education
• Established and received E.P.A. Presidential Citation for "EcoBuddies," a mentor program in which
seniors mentor elementary, handicapped, and special education students in science
• Built a community-wide Veteran's Memorial Garden at Grapevine High School
• Texas House of Representatives' Volunteer of the Year.
• Conducted Field Research in Africa, Borneo, U.S. Virgin Islands, Baja Peninsula, Galapagos Islands
• "Girls Are Learning Science (GALS) Club" at GHS
• Summit climb on Kilimanjaro, 1998