By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

A SCIENCE teacher at Kagman High School, who became the CNMI’s first educator accepted by the national food science program, is encouraging his colleagues to send in their applications.
Roger Church applied and was accepted into the program in 2005. He was given the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. where he attended training sessions.
The program was initiated by the Food and Drug Administration with the National Science Teachers Association.
“I found it a good opportunity for teachers and I really want to encourage others to take advantage of the availability of this program,” Church told Variety yesterday.
“I heard it only through the National Science Teachers Association and I applied as an individual and was accepted in 2005. Because I found it very useful, I want to share the information with the teachers…it will help teachers in the schools learn about food safety and prevent people from becoming ill,” he said, adding that he suggests teachers visit the Web site www.nsta.org/fdaapplication to obtain a copy of the application form.
The program is designed for middle-level and high school science educators. Those who teach science, family and consumer science, agri-science or food science are also eligible.
The deadline for submission of applications is April 9. E-mail applications will not be accepted.
Each year 20 middle-level and 20 high school level teachers are selected from the eligible applications received.
Applications are judged on a 100-point scale that includes academic and professional experience, 40 points; essay questions, 45 points; certification; and letter of recommendation, 15 points.
Applications are judged by a panel of science teachers.
For more information, call Roger Church at 664-3780.