The Da Vinci Science Center honored PPL Corporation, four inspiring high school students, and two dedicated teachers Saturday evening during its 2011 Hall of Fame Awards event.



The Da Vinci Science Center’s Hall of Fame Awards have honored since 1999 students who show a unique passion for science inside and outside the classroom, teachers who inspire enthusiasm for science with vibrancy and meaning, and community partners who support the Center’s mission. The 2011 Da Vinci Science Center Hall of Fame event was presented by Bob and Sandy Lovett.

PPL Corporation of Allentown, Pa., received the Da Vinci Science Grand Maestro Award for Outstanding Community Champions. PPL has been one of the Da Vinci Science Center’s top corporate partners for nearly 15 years, providing financial support, developing several exhibits, and partnering in a variety of programs. PPL Corporate Controller Vincent Sorgi is the Center’s Board Treasurer. B. Kathryn Frazier, Regional Community Relations Director for PPL Corporation, was the Hall of Fame 2011 Community Chair.

Four high school students received the Center’s Apprentice Award for Outstanding Science Scholarship:

• Emily Fucinato is a junior at Northampton Area High School, Northampton, Pa.; her award was sponsored by Just Born and Bill and Phyllis Grube.
• Tara Jain is a senior at Moravian Academy, Bethlehem, Pa.; her award was sponsored by LSI.
• Dennis Sell is a senior at Louis E. Dieruff High School, Allentown, Pa.; his award was sponsored by Frank and Yvonne Schweighardt and Vincent and Michelle Sorgi.
• Vivian Wang – winner of the Spirit of Leonardo Award for Outstanding Curiosity, Creativity, and Imagination – is a senior at Moravian Academy; her award was sponsored by Beall and Linny Fowler.

Two educators received the Grand Master Award for Outstanding Science Teaching:

• Pamela Nester is a seventh-grade teacher at Whitehall-Coplay-Middle School in Whitehall, Pa.; her award was sponsored by Air Products.
• Matthew Rach is a life sciences teacher at William Allen High School in Allentown, Pa.; his award was sponsored by PPL.

The Da Vinci Science Center Hall of Fame event at The Swain School in Allentown, Pa., highlighted the first day of the Center’s Science Works 2011 celebration, which continues through May 7, 2011. Presented by Bob and Sandy Lovett, Science Works is a celebration of informal and creative pursuits of science. Science Works 2011 also will include a celebration of contributions by women in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The Women in Science Week programs are presented by Wells Fargo.

The 2011 Da Vinci Science Center Hall of Fame event also included a Keynote Presentation by world-renowned oceanographer Edie Widder, Ph.D., CEO, President, and Senior Scientist of the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) in Fort Pierce, Fla.