The Presidential Award represents the gold standard in science education. It is an honor to be recognized at the national level for the work that I do to inspire my students in and out of the classroom to become better environmental stewards. Receiving this award motivates me to continue pursuing environmental excellence at my school, in my community, across my state and nation as I share my teaching experiences with others so they may learn from my mistakes and be inspired by my successes.

Allan Phipps Plantation, FL | 7-12, Science, 2009

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Allan Phipps has been an educator for 10 years and has spent the past 6 years teaching Advanced Placement Environmental Science and a course in solar and alternative energies at South Plantation High School’s Everglades Restoration & Environmental Science Magnet Program. Allan is a successful grant writer whose grants include the SeaWorld Environmental Excellence Award and Toyota Tapestry Grant. He actively recruits local corporate donors to support the multiple environmental projects he mentors, including the RARE CORAL Project, which deploys artificial reefs; Solar Knight Racing Team, which involves a student-built solar car that his students race annually (2009 national champions); Eco-Geeks Club, which competes in the Lexus Eco-Challenge (2009 national champions); and more. Allan engages his students in environmental project-based learning. Allan represents his school as a guest speaker at numerous events, including National Science Teacher Association conferences. Allan was awarded the Florida Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Schools-Teacher of the Year in 2009 and was recently recognized as the 2011 Broward County Teacher of the Year. Allan has a B.S. in Biology from Samford University and an M.S. in Biology from Florida International University. He is certified to teach grades 6-12 biological sciences.

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