John Long, a science teacher and swim coach at Woodrow Wilson High School, is one of seven DISD teachers to win $10,000 from the 2011 Texas Instruments Foundation STEM Awards.

This article in the Journal of Immunology explains teaching methods Long developed to teach students about the immune system.

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An interactive, hands-on laboratory activity enables students to quantify bacterial cell death with a colony forming unit assay of E.coli. Through this exercise, students will be able to focus on basic principles of innate immunity, experimental design and execution, and data analysis.

The STEM award is given to teachers who use innovative methods to teach science, technology, engineering and math. The award winners get to keep $5,000 for themselves. They are to spend the other $5,000 on professional development or education technology.