At Allerød Gymnasium, Louise Lund Bækgaard has taught such things as the chemistry of a gummy bear and getting her students to build a rocket that can fly 10 metres. She uses unconventional methods and reaches out to other disciplines than the natural sciences such as English and social studies with ideas for collaboration.
At Hasseris Gymnasium, Lone Als Egebo has been the driving force behind launching a biotechnology major through initiatives such as equipping laboratories. She also helped to launch Denmark’s participation in the European Union Science Olympiad (EUSO) – an international competition for students in biology, physics and chemistry.
A common factor is that both teachers are incredibly good at involving their students in learning. They also do this by getting students to confront real-life situations, both nationally and internationally. Among many activities, Louise Lund Bækgaard has participated in Allerød Gymnasium’s exchange programme with Taiwan; and Lone Als Egebo takes her students on an annual visit to the renowned Sanger Institute in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Both teachers have authored textbooks.
The Foundation is awarding Louise Lund Bækgaard and Lone Als Egebo the 2016 Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize for Upper-secondary Schoolteachers for their outstanding and continuing efforts. The Prize focuses on enhancing high professional standards in teaching the biological sciences in upper-secondary schools in Denmark.
Two prizes are awarded annually: one in eastern Denmark and one in western Denmark. Each prize is accompanied by a personal award of DKK 50,000 and DKK 200,000 for the recipient’s school.
The prizes are awarded in collaboration between the Foundation and DANSK BIOTEK (an association representing the biotechnology industry in Denmark).
QOUTES
Kirsten Schiellerup, Principal of Allerød Gymnasium, says:
“Louise has worked tirelessly for her students and the school on many fronts. She has a sunny humour, and she always takes a playful and yet very serious and professional approach to her students and teaching. These attributes strongly motivate both her students and her colleagues. It clearly also means a lot for Allerød Gymnasium to receive such a major prize. I am really looking forward to planning new purchases for the biology classes together with Louise and the rest of the biology teachers.”
Anders Bach Jensen, Principal of Hasseris Gymnasium, says:
“Lone winning the Prize clearly celebrates the consistently high standard of teaching at Hasseris Gymnasium. It also recognizes Lone’s general importance for the teaching of the biological and other natural sciences at the national level.”
Birgitte Nauntofte, CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation. Says:
“Innovation in biomedicine and biotechnology is important for Denmark’s future prosperity. In awarding the Prize, we therefore want to reward upper-secondary schoolteachers who make a special effort to enhance young people’s interest in the biological sciences.”
Louise Lund Bækgaard says:
“I am really delighted to receive the Prize. It is a great honour. It naturally means a lot to me personally but also means that we can focus on purchasing and refurbishing the school’s natural sciences wing so it really reinforces exciting, committed and investigative teaching.”
Lone Als Egebo says:
“I am surprised, overwhelmed and very happy. The biological sciences are especially close to my heart, and I try to bring my enthusiasm into my efforts as a teacher. The biological sciences can help to ensure that we have a sustainable future. An important mission for me is to give students the knowledge and insight that will lead to skills and action competence so that they can continue to be conscious of the roles of health, environment and energy in society.”
The Prize is being awarded in a ceremony at the annual general meeting of DANSK BIOTEK on 5 May 2016.
NOVO NORDISK FOUNDATION PRIZE FOR UPPER-SECONDARY SCHOOLTEACHERS
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize for Upper-secondary Schoolteachers is aimed at teachers of biology, chemistry and biotechnology. The Prize focuses on enhancing the professional standards in teaching the biological sciences in upper-secondary schools in Denmark and on recognizing the teachers who have contributed significantly to this teaching.
The prizes are awarded in collaboration between the Novo Nordisk Foundation and DANSK BIOTEK (an association representing the biotechnology industry in Denmark).
The Prize is awarded annually and is divided into two prizes: one for an upper-secondary schoolteacher from eastern Denmark and one for an upper-secondary schoolteacher from western Denmark. Each prize is accompanied by DKK 250,000, divided into a personal award of DKK 50,000 and DKK 200,000 for the school. The award given to the school is to be used for developing the teaching of the natural sciences such as acquiring new teaching materials or upgrading classrooms or equipment for teaching.
The students, parents, colleagues and principals may all nominate one or several candidates for the Prize. A special Prize committee established by DANSK BIOTEK selects the Prize winners from the nominations received.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Allerød Gymnasium
Kirsten Schiellerup, Principal, tel.: +45 4817 7555 or mobile: +45 3025 2430
Hasseris Gymnasium
Anders Bach Jensen, Principal, tel.: +45 9632 7111 or mobile: +45 2962 3757
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Christian Mostrup Scheel, Press Officer, Novo Nordisk Foundation, [email protected], mobile: +45 3067 4805
Zerqa Schmidt, Administrative Coordinator, [email protected], tel.: +45 3527 6604
THE PRIZE COMMITTEE’S REASONS FOR SELECTING LOUISE LUND BÆKGAARD
Louise Lund Bækgaard has a passion for the natural sciences, and her students and colleagues notice and value this every day. Louise’s teaching is rich in ideas and innovative thinking. Louise says that the most important thing is inspiring students to be curious, investigative and fascinated. Once students are motivated, they work hard and become really talented. Louise challenges and continually develops her own teaching methods, focusing on motivating each student and on their academic development.
Louise has participated in her school’s exchange programme with other upper-secondary schools in Taiwan and has taken a leading role in developing her school’s teaching of the natural sciences and promoting the subject at school. Further, she has made a notable contribution as a co-author of teaching material on the Biology Portal (Biologiportalen) of Gyldendal Publishers.
Every year, Louise’s students have participated in various talent competitions and events such as Science Cup, Young Scientists, Drug Hunters and the Biotech Camp at the Technical University of Denmark.
Louise Lund Bækgaard is thus a worthy recipient of the 2016 Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize for Upper-secondary Schoolteachers.
THE PRIZE COMMITTEE’S REASONS FOR SELECTING LONE ALS EGEBO
The selection of Lone Als Egebo as a Prize winner is supported by the fact that she is an exceptionally talented teacher. Her work displays an infectious enthusiasm for teaching. With her irrepressible enthusiasm and willingness to help young people, she admirably manages to convey her fascination with the natural sciences to her students, spurring and motivating them to make an extra academic effort.
Lone has been the driving force behind launching a biotechnology major at Hasseris Gymnasium through very active contributions, such as Open House events, equipping the laboratories and developing a collection of the latest and most relevant equipment.
Lone chairs the national Biotechnology Examinations Board for upper-secondary schools and has developed questions for the examinations in biotechnology at upper-secondary schools in Denmark (STX/HTX). She has authored several titles for Nucleus Forlag, the publisher of the Association of Danish Biologists. She has been a member of Denmark’s organizing committee for the European Union Science Olympiad, including participating with her students in the Olympiad in Murcia, Spain in 2009.
Lone Als Egebo is thus a worthy recipient of the 2016 Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize for Upper-secondary Schoolteachers.
