2012 California State Science Fair
Science Fair Teacher of the Year — Junior Division

The award citation at the Awards Ceremony reads:

This year’s Junior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year has been coordinating science fairs for 9 years. Each year, our recipient exclusively mentors some 85 students on their science fair projects and views a student’s real-world, personal connection to their research as the sign of a successful science fair project. The school principal recognizes this individual as, “one of those teachers that kids want to have as their teacher and see as a resource for anything they need, not just science.” Students describe our honoree as “the most dedicated, fun, thoughtful, and understanding teacher who makes learning at school feel like playing” and “always more than happy to set aside time for any student who needs help.”

Of the long hours outside of school spent mentoring science fair participants, this teacher said, “no one is putting me up to this — I’m here because I want to be here. Our recipient takes an integrative approach to the Science Fair, asking eighth grade students to draw on science skills and knowledge obtained in sixth and seventh grade, and views a student’s love for their project topic as most important.

Please join me in congratulating our Junior Division Science Fair Teacher of the Year — from Raney Intermediate School in Corona, Riverside County — Christina Fisher!

Christina Fisher was named as advisor on the following projects this year: J0409, J1604, J1808, J1921, J2203, and J2207.