The Kansas Association of Teachers of Science (KATS) held its annual meeting at gorgeous Rock Springs Ranch just south of Junction City, Kansas, this past weekend. (And yes, the spelling of "Kamp" gets on my last nerve!)

Instead of going to any sessions or meetings, I got to work the booth for Kansas Citizens For Science. It's always fun to meet teachers I haven't met before and to get caught up with others. I have to admit that it's disconcerting to realize one of my former student teachers is going gray!

So instead of going to the 1:00 general meeting, I was hanging around the booth, getting things organized and helping Harry McDonald - KCFS President - get things packed away. Which means I missed something pretty cool.

Each year, KATS selects one member who has demonstrated exemplary service to the KATS organization as well as to science education in Kansas. This year's "Distinguished Member" has widely influenced science teachers across Kansas; when the presenter asked those folks to stand who'd been directly affected by this member, over half the audience stood up.

This member is a vibrant, creative, and intelligent asset to the science teaching profession in Kansas and well deserves this award. The member has worked tirelessly to secure grants to improve science education in Kansas; serves as the editor of the KATS newsletter; was the primary mover and proposal writer to bring the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science to Fort Hays State University; has found the means to provide support for Hays' Science Cafes; initiated the regional science and engineering fair at FHSU; and has patiently tolerated his wife's various eccentricities while remaining actively involved with their four children.