Letter from the Minister of Industry

I am pleased to provide you with a copy of Exemplary Practices, in honour of the eighth anniversary of National Science and Technology Week (NSTW). This publication highlights some of the successful and innovative teaching methods of the 1996 recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence in Science, Technology and Mathematics (PMA).

This year, NSTW will take place from October 17 to 26, 1997, celebrating Canada's achievements in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with thousands of events across the country. Whether or not you have already planned how you will participate in NSTW events in your community, I hope that this publication will provide you with exciting and inspiring ideas for this week and throughout the whole year.

This third edition of Exemplary Practices is itself a celebration of some of the best teaching ideas, suggestions and philosophies of the 1996 national-level PMA recipients. While these teachers ensure that their students understand scientific and mathematical concepts and learn to use technology, they also do much more. In this publication they share some of their techniques for getting students to communicate, think creatively and solve problems. Their students have had the opportunity to invent a number system for Martians, study literature with students around the world and evaluate various ways of manufacturing electricity. Previous editions of Exemplary Practices are available for the 1993/94 and 1995 PMA recipients.

As Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced at the PMA national awards ceremony in February, 1997, the program is being expanded this year, with the help of new corporate partners, to honour teachers in all disciplines who have best helped prepare their students for the challenges of a rapidly changing society and knowledge-based economy. I am very excited about this development that will allow us to honour many more deserving educators.

I hope that Exemplary Practices will prove to be both practical and interesting to you for use in your classroom and elsewhere. I invite you to share it with your colleagues and others who are involved or interested in education. A promotional flyer, describing the expanded PMA program, is also enclosed. Please pass it on and help us to recognize even more outstanding Canadian teachers.

If you have any questions or comments about Exemplary Practices or about the program, please call 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or send an email.

John Manley
Minister of Industry Canada