SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Children embody innocent curiosity about the world around us, constantly asking questions and absorbing all they can both at school and at home. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) are honouring teachers of science who are strong leaders and energetic educators at their professional development conference on Thursday.

Neil Penney has been a teacher for all subjects in the kindergarten to Grade 2 levels for about three years at Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah. Penney had no idea students and staff alike were putting together a booklet of all he has done in the community and school to submit for the award. Penney said when he found out about the award last week, he was blown away.

"It’s quite an honour. It feels pretty good that they did this," said Penney.

"This age group, they’re natural scientists, lots of wondering and always asking questions. They’re very bright kids and they like a lot of hands-on science."

Throughout his three years at the school, Penney has spearheaded an indoor hydroponic garden where the vegetables and fruit grown are eaten at the school's lunch program.

Penney also developed a robotics program and a bridge-building program.

"We've explored everything from polymers to what things look like under the microscope. It's usually driven by curiosity and at this age, everyone’s really curious," said Penney.

Lea Lamoureux, principal of Kaw Tay Whee School, said Penney does a lot for his classes and school that is above and beyond the call of duty.

"Particularly for science, he does a lot to get the kids excited and get them using their inquiry skills. They ask a lot of questions and he’s always finding ways to get them to ask more," she said.

Lamoureux said Penney integrates local culture into the science classes and has been active in acquiring grants for science and technology equipment for the school such as robotics, computers and iPads.

"He makes a real effort for both boys and girls to be interested in science and that’s going to open up a lot of doors for them in the future … He’s really instrumental in making sure the kids are current in their technology," said Lamoureux.

Linda Golding, NAPEG's executive director, said Penney will receive his award on Thursday night at the NAPEG conference. Katharine O'Connell, a teacher in Rankin Inlet, will also be receiving a science teaching award at the event.

She said the purpose of the science teaching award is to recognize initiatives which promote interesting careers in the sciences.

"One of the reasons is trying to encourage young people to have an interest in math and science so that we have future engineers and geoscientists," said Golding.

"It’s to recognize the teachers that really are out there teaching it on the front lines and getting students interested in sciences. He really stood out."

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