WHEREAS, Donna R. Sterling, Distinguished Service Professor, professor of science education, and director of the Center for Restructuring Education in Science and Technology at George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development, has advanced science education in the Commonwealth and the United States through her outstanding leadership; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has served as a research scientist, a science and mathematics teacher, a teacher educator, a curriculum developer, and a program director for education projects from kindergarten through graduate school and is the author of over 100 articles, books, and reports; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has been recognized for her work in helping to improve science teaching in elementary and secondary schools and higher education settings; her collaborative work with colleagues to investigate research-based effective teaching and learning practices; and her expertise in designing, directing, and evaluating integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling's research over the past 22 years at George Mason University has been instrumental in helping to improve science teaching in elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education throughout the Commonwealth and the United States, while simultaneously increasing the educational impact of George Mason University throughout the Commonwealth and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has served as principal investigator for numerous teacher, professional development, and research grants, including the award-winning New Science Teachers' Support Network for provisionally licensed science teachers and Science Camp for training pre-service and experienced teachers to conduct problem-based learning with children; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling's research formed the basis for the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA)—one of the largest Investing in Innovation Fund grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education and the largest grant in the history of George Mason University, bringing together six major Virginia universities, the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Math and Science Coalition, and private corporate partners to support the improvement of K-12 science education; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has been an active staff and board member of the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition, where she developed policy recommendations and white papers for improving K-12 science education and oversaw the development of science leaders and the preparation of outstanding teacher and student programs; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling's research has garnered major funding from numerous corporations such as Exxon, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Micron; the National Science Foundation, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Carnegie Institution of Washington; and the U.S. Department of Education and Virginia Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling is recognized as both a pioneer and a distinguished graduate student in science education, having attained her doctorate in science education at George Washington University and completing her early research and career training under two noted Nobel Prize winners—Linus Pauling and Melvin Calvin—recipients of a combined three Nobel Prizes; and

WHEREAS, for the past two decades, Donna Sterling has been a trusted colleague and friend to her peers at the College of Education and Human Development, where she teaches science education leadership courses in the master's and doctoral science education leadership programs, and she has collaborated on more than $50 million in research grant funding, placing her among George Mason's top research grant recipients; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has been a role model and mentor to generations of graduates—particularly women graduate students—inspiring and supporting them as they pursue teaching, research, and leadership careers in the field of K-12 science and STEM education; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling's ability to inspire graduate students through scientific discovery—inviting them to question, hypothesize, and verify new knowledge through experimentation and persistence—has been a hallmark of her passion for science education; and

WHEREAS, Donna Sterling has continued to support an ever-expanding network of former students, who are inspiring thousands of other young men and women to unlock the mysteries and wonder of the world through scientific discovery; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, that the General Assembly hereby commend Donna R. Sterling for her distinguished service in the field of science and mathematics education in the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Donna R. Sterling as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for her commitment to the education of the Commonwealth's next generation of leaders.