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Fort Smith science teacher named state's best Friday, May 2, 2008 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Arkansas' best science teacher works flawless experiments with potent chemicals and flammable gases. It's just the Diet Coke that gets him. Fort Smith teacher Jeff Mosby has just one accident on his record of a decade of hands-on experiments as a ninth grade physical science teacher: The day he sprayed Diet Coke on about 15 students. Even that worked out OK, thanks in large part to science. "Science teachers use Diet Coke because it's easier to clean up. It doesn't have any sugar so it doesn't stick," Mosby said Thursday. Mosby, who teaches at Ramsey Junior High School, is to be presented the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching at a ceremony today in Washington. The award, which comes with a $10,000 prize, is given by the National Science Foundation to each state's top science teacher. Ramsey Principal Dennis Siebenmorgen, who nominated Mosby for the honor, compared the teacher to the popular "Bill Nye the Science Guy," whose television show features quirky, hands-on experiments. Mosby in 2006 was named Wal-Mart's Arkansas Teacher of the Year. "He's probably one of the most creative teachers that you will ever find," Siebenmorgen said. "He's instilling a love for science in students and has a high-caring attitude for every student that walks through the door." Mosby, 34, has taught at Ramsey for four years. He started his career at Lavaca High School. He's built an interest in science among his students through activities that include, as he described them, "blowing up fire balls," "shooting rockets," and "making fire go up a ramp." "I try to get the kids involved and try to make it fun and exciting," he said. "There have been some unexpected (reactions), but they always become teachable moments." The nonsticky diet beverage is an example. When showing the physical reaction caused by Mentos candies in Diet Coke, the soda bottle tipped over and the liquid gushed toward his students. With that experiment, he has caused Diet Coke to shoot out of the bottle to heights of nearly 30 feet. "Instead of just teaching out of a book, Mosby makes it just real-life science," Siebenmorgen said. "He's a very dynamic teacher." Mosby, his wife, Tracy, and 6-year-old daughter Lexie made their first trip to Washington for activities involving the award presentation. He has participated in a week of professional development training with his winning colleagues from other states. |
