Well, this is an incredibly exciting and unbelievable moment in my career. I’m uncharacteristically speechless, so will just share this press release from the Royal Society of Chemistry:
Teacher and Scientist wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Prize
Dr Jo Montgomery, who is a teacher, scientist and education consultant, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Excellence in Primary Education Prize in recognition of brilliance in chemistry education.
Dr Montgomery has lived in Cambridge for the last 30 years and wins the prize for a significant contribution to STEM education in the last 20+ years, inspiring children and supporting teachers in the UK and around the world.
Dr Montgomery receives £3000, a medal and a certificate.
Dr Jo teaches children, supports teachers, trains scientists and inspires minds! With nearly thirty years’ experience in science and education, she is passionate about supporting others, promoting scientific literacy, raising science capital and inspiring a love of science. Alongside her role as a trainer in good research practices and data management at The Babraham Institute, Jo teaches primary science, develops resources and delivers hands-on workshops, trains scientists, and supports teacher professional development. She founded Dr Jo Science Solutions in 2018, combining her teaching, training and scientific experience, and works with a wide range of organisations and projects including Primary Science Quality Mark, The Great Science Share for Schools, ASE and STEM Learning.
After receiving the prize, Dr Montgomery said: “Receiving the Royal Society of Chemistry Excellence in Primary Education prize for 2024 feels incredibly rewarding and humbling. It’s an honour to be recognised for my contribution to science education, especially by my colleagues who inspire and support me. This recognition affirms the hard work and passion I’ve put into making science accessible and engaging for children and teachers over the years. I’m proud to be part of such a vibrant, supportive community dedicated to shaping the future of science education.”
Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said:
“The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.
“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.
“Dr Montgomery’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year’s winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.
The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.
For more information about the RSC’s prizes portfolio, visit rsc.li/prizes.
Rewarding Excellence and Gaining Recognition
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Prizes portfolio is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, recognising achievements by individuals, teams and organisations in advancing the chemical sciences. We reward those undertaking excellent work in the chemical sciences from across the world.
More information is available at: rsc.li/prizes.
About the Royal Society of Chemistry
We are an international organisation connecting chemical scientists with each other, with other scientists, and with society as a whole. Founded in 1841 and based in London, UK, we have an international membership of over 50,000. We use the surplus from our global publishing and knowledge business to give thousands of chemical scientists the support and resources required to make vital advances in chemical knowledge. We develop, recognise and celebrate professional capabilities, and we bring people together to spark new ideas and new partnerships. We support teachers to inspire future generations of scientists, and we speak up to influence the people making decisions that affect us all. We are a catalyst for the chemistry that enriches our world.
I’m also a double award winner today as part of the Team Prize for Excellence in Primary Education with The Great Science Share for Schools!
I am overawed and honoured to have received this incredible recognition of my work supporting science education and would like to thank my amazing colleagues who cheerlead, challenge and help me grow. Thank you.
Update from the presentation of the prize:
I am still pinching myself after receiving the Excellence in Primary Education Prize from the Royal Society of Chemistry! 🧪✨
Even more surreal? It was presented this week at the The Royal Institution of Great Britain… in the legendary Faraday Lecture Theatre—yes, the home of the iconic Christmas Lectures – an historic venue synonymous with scientific discovery and education.
To be nominated by my colleagues and recognised by the judging panel means more than I can say. This award is a reflection of the passionate, creative educators I work alongside and the incredible young learners who inspire me every day to make science exciting, relevant, and engaging.
I am grateful for the recognition—and even more so for the opportunity to keep sharing the wonder of science with curious minds at the very start of their scientific journeys.
This award reflects the collective commitment of many passionate educators working to inspire a love of science from the earliest years. I’m proud to play a part in that mission, and remain committed to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of scientists.