Hilton Teacher Beverly Thompson works on a science inquiry unit with students in her fourth grade class, from left, Tim Woodward and Caroline Dobson.

Hilton Village Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Beverly Thompson, a 33-year teaching veteran, has received one of 200 coveted Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching Science for 2000 at ceremonies held this month in Washington, D.C. The award is sponsored by National Science Foundation and carries a $7,500 educational grant for her school.

Selected for her exceptional work in teaching science, her extensive professional development and curriculum-writing experience as well as how her submitted project links to the national science standards, Thompson was a New York state finalist last year. She was chosen from a pool of over 600 science teachers nationwide by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators. This year, 216 teachers received the award March 6.

"I have found that science is the way to keep kids interested," Thompson said. "I learned so much in Washington. We each presented our projects and so I saw all different kinds of ideas from all over the country … We haven't decided how we will spend our grant, but it will be fun to spend the $7,500 on science supplies and materials."