[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZINIG THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF DR. ROBERT PAVLICA

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                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great 
contributions to education made by Dr. Robert Pavlica. I also wish to 
congratulate him on being one of only six teachers from around the 
world, and one of only two from the United States, to be honored by 
INTEL. Innovation in Education with the prestigious 2003 ``Excellence 
in Teaching Award.'' He received this accolade for his pioneering 
development of the ``Authentic Science Research in the High School'' 
program.
  Dr. Pavlica, a White Plains, NY, resident, who has a Ph.D. in 
biochemistry, along with master's degrees in philosophy, cell biology, 
and biology, has been inspiring students as a science teacher at Byram 
Hills High School in Armonk, NY, for the past 33 years. In 1990, he 
began teaching scientific research after one of his students asked for 
his help in pursuing an independent research project.
  This would lead Dr. Pavlica to create the ``Authentic Science 
Research in the High School'' program, a three-year science research 
course, in which sophomores, who elect to participate, are instructed 
in the methods and processes of research. This culminates in each 
student conducting an original research project into an area of 
particular interest to the student. To help guide his or her work, each 
student is mentored by a respected scientist in the student's field of 
research.
  This program has been enormously successful. Since its creation 
little more than a decade ago, thirty-nine of Dr. Pavlica's students at 
Byram Hills have become semifinalists for the Intel Science Talent 
Research Award, formerly known as the Westinghouse. Amazingly, eleven 
of his students have even reached the finals of the esteemed 
competition. This program has also prepared many more students for the 
arduous research that they will face in college.
  Dr. Pavlica has taught his techniques to numerous educators, who wish 
to replicate his success in getting students excited about scientific 
research. Presently, over 170 school districts throughout the country 
have instructors who are using his program. In fact, over seventy 
percent of public and private high schools in Westchester County, NY, 
now employ the program.

  The success of the program at Byram Hills has been mirrored in these 
schools, as well. Indeed, in 2002 and 2003, roughly forty percent of 
all of New York State's INTEL Science Talent Search semifinalist awards 
went to students who were taught using the ``Authentic Science Research 
in the High School'' program.
  I am truly honored that I have this opportunity to congratulate Dr. 
Pavlica on his well-deserved award and to thank him for helping so many 
students in Westchester and around the country learn more about science 
and the potential that lies within them.

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