Whether teaching Rice students, public school science teachers or K-12 students, Ron Sass excelled as an educator. His talent for teaching earned him numerous accolades, including Rice’s top teaching prize, the George R. Brown
Prize for Excellence in Teaching, which he won three times, the George R. Brown Prize for Superior Teaching, the Salgo-Noren Distinguished Professor Award, and the Piper Professor designation for outstanding achievement in teaching.
One of Sass’ most impactful contributions was the Rice Elementary Model Science Lab (REMSL), created in 2006 to address the urgent need for better science education training for elementary teachers. The program offers intensive training to expand teachers’ science knowledge and explore innovative, effective teaching methods.
The results are remarkable: students of REMSL-trained teachers perform better on tests and those teachers are more likely to remain in the classroom, reducing turnover. REMSL continues to thrive today, extending Sass’ legacy and advancing science education in Houston.
