Andover High School Teacher Wins National Biotechnology Award

ANDOVER, MA — Andover High School Science Teacher Lindsey L’Ecuyer won the 2021 Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers.

The award recognizes a teacher who teaches biotechnology in the classroom in a creative way.

L'Ecuyer has been with Andover High School for 13 years. She teaches biology, biotechnology and forensics and serves as the advisor to the BioBuilder Club.

“It is an honor to be recognized with the 2021 Ron Mardigian award from NABT,” L’Ecuyer said in a statement. “A teacher’s challenge is to involve students in a compelling, understandable story about advancements in science and science as a process. I tell my students in their work that all of us - educators, scientists, citizens - in order to be successful in science, we need to be momentarily ok with the uncertainty of not knowing where this is going. We need to trust that a diverse group of problem solvers will outperform either group alone.”

“Lindsey is an exemplary educator and makes it a priority to inspire teachers and students outside of the classroom,” said Stephen Sanborn, K-12 science program advisor for Andover Public Schools. “Under her guidance, BioBuilder students have been recognized on a local and national level. The NABT Ron Mardigian award is a fitting celebration of her hard work.”

“In her 13 years at AHS, Lindsey has expanded biotechnology programs at Andover High School,” Principal Caitlin Brown said. “Her mentorship with the AHS BioBuilder Club and organizations across the country to develop biotechnology curriculum display her commitment to science and learning. We are very proud of her.”

Chelmsford High School science teacher Cara Bak nominated L'Ecuyer.

L'Ecuyer and Bak worked together on the Amgen Biotech Experience group at Harvard. Bak won the 2019 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, presented by the same organization.

"Lindsey is an inspiration to me and others as an educator. She works hard to provide authentic learning experiences for her students both in her class and in Biobuilders,” Bak said. “When Lindsey tries out a new lab, she will rewrite the material to make it easier for her students to process and to decrease potential points of confusion. She works hard and is a very deserving recipient of the Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Award."

L'Ecuyer recently began a doctorate in education program at UMass Lowell.

"She plans to develop research-based pedagogy that provides special education students with opportunities for mastery, creativity, and self-identity in biotechnology," according to the news release. "She believes there is an important opportunity through BioBuilder/biotechnology to engage underserved students more effectively through creative, cooperative, and critical thinking experience. "

L'Ecuyer will officially receive the award at the organization's professional development conference in November.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.