Allan Phipps (Samford biology graduate of 1996) is a man on a mission . . . a mission to engage his students in scientific discovery. From Florida's SunSentinel.com:
"Hands-on learning reaches another level in Allan Phipps' environmental science classes at South Plantation High School. His students have built solar-powered race cars, constructed 500-pound balls to replace destroyed coral reefs and audited their school's energy use to learn about carbon footprints. They've written grants and won competitions and multiple honors for their work — including $50,000 in scholarships and grants last year as part of the Lexus Eco Challenge. On Friday, Phipps' lessons earned him a prize of his own: Broward's Teacher of the Year.
"Count South Plantation's principal, David Basile, among Phipps' many fans. Basile credits Phipps with raising the level of both students and teachers at the school, inspiring them to work at their highest levels. 'I wish I had 50 of him,' Basile said after Phipps' victory, adding: 'He sees the value of pushing his kids to go as high as they can.'"
The world is better because of the creativity and persistence of Allan Phipps.