Fensham Medal - For Outstanding Contribution to Chemical Education

In a push to formally recognise those who tirelessly promote chemical education activities the RACI created a new prestigious award for Outstanding Contributions to Chemical Education to be awarded annually from 2010. The award is named after Professor Fensham who elaborated and popularised the notion of “Science for all” where school science must be designed to prepare all students for the future rather than simply prepare those few whose chosen profession will involve science.

Mr. Bob Morton

An outstanding leader in science education

Mr Bob Morton has had a distinguished career as a high school chemistry teacher. He has been equally active in encouraging and professionally developing several generations of science teachers across the nation. He has published and revised in an on-going manner seminal chemistry student resource books for many years.

Even though Mr Morton has retired, he is committed to leadership and the RACI’s education programs as well as those of kindred organisations. He served as Chair of the Chem Ed Division in the mid-1990s and on the organising committee for the RACI
ChemEd2012 Conference held in July. He continues his support as a South Australian Branch Committee member and is co-editor of the South Australian Science Teachers Association Chemistry Study Guide.

Mr Morton received the Order of Australia in 2009 for service to science education, particularly chemistry through curriculum development as a teacher and mentor and through contributions to educational and scientific organisations. He is a truly outstanding recipient of the Fensham Medal.