Jason Crean La Grange, IL | 7-12, Science, 2009

The official biography below was current at the time of the award. For this awardee's latest biographical information, see their profile page.

Jason Crean has taught biology for 14 years, the last 9 at Lyons Township High School. He has also taught courses for Moraine Valley Community College, Saint Xavier University-Chicago, and Brookfield Zoo’s Education Department. Jason designs curriculums for his teaching team. Sharing his love of living things with students is the highlight of his life. One of his innovations is the design of the Vivarium, a laboratory that includes live animal exhibits. Jason supervises students who maintain the exhibits, and he began a partnership with a local zoo in which students have assisted in volunteer research activities. Jason has presented workshops on his publication Zoo Genetics: Key Aspects of Conservation Biology. This manual is an activity set of actual research that illustrates how genetics is used to aid in species conservation. Jason also volunteers at the wildlife genetics laboratory at Loyola University. Jason has a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. He also has an M.S. in Biology and a graduate certificate in Zoo and Aquarium Science from Western Illinois University. He is certified in high school biology, chemistry, zoology, and other topics.

• High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
• Awardee holding Presidential certificate between NSF Director Subra Suresh and OSTP Director John P. Holdren
• High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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