Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

2009 Life Sciences Awards

2009 Life Sciences Educator's Award

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are honored to have awarded the achievements of the 2009 $10,000 Life Sciences Educator's Award Columbus Scholar:

Beenu Gupta

Biology Teacher
The Charter School of Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware

Since 1996, Beenu Gupta has taught AP and Honors Biology at The Charter School of Wilmington in Delaware. The Charter School is a college preparatory high school with a focus on mathematics and science, and was ranked 41st in the 2008 issue of U.S. News and World Report America's Best High Schools. Mrs. Gupta�s classroom is like the �Disneyland of Biology,� complete with students singing and dancing as they dive into Molecular Biology.

Beenu is the director of the school�s annual Science Fair and head coach of the Science Olympiad, Envirothon, and Biology Competition teams. Last year, her team won first in the nation in the National Canon Envirothon. In 2008, one of her students was a National Gold Medal winner in the International Biology Olympiad. The Charter School has been State Champions in the Delaware Science Olympiad and Envirothon competition, and Beenu has brought home the Outstanding Coach Award since 2000.

Beenu is also the moderator for the Anti-Tobacco Club, the Habitat for Humanity Club, and the Unite for Sight Club. Her list of awards includes: The 2007 US Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award, 2008 Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Award, the 2008 Educator of Distinction Award from the Coca-Cola Scholarship Foundation, and the 2008 Environmental Educator Award/Teacher of the Year from the Delaware Nature Society.

What inspired Beenu to become a teacher? "While debating how to finish my PhD, I took some courses at the University of Delaware and I was astonished to see the lack of concepts and knowledge that students had prior to entering college. I have always been passionate about learning and teaching so I decided to be a high school teacher, where I could provide a solid foundation for college-bound students. My goal has always been to make learning fun, valuable and a life-long experience."

Mrs. Gupta received her formal education and teaching certificate from the University of Delaware. After finishing a Masters in Zoology from India, Mrs. Gupta received a University fellowship grant to finish her Ph.D. in neuroscience.

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is honored to have had the assistance of the following distinguished individuals serving on the 2009 Life Sciences Awards Evaluation Committee:

Prof. Dr. Vittorio Daniore
Scientific Attach�
Embassy of Italy
Washington, D.C.
Jonathan S. Fish, M.D.
Dr. Venigalla Rao
Department of Biology
The Catholic University of America
Samana Zulu, M.D.