World renowned paleontologist Jack Horner honors Big Timber, Montana teacher, Rolland Karlin for getting kids fired up about science

When renowned paleontologist Jack Horner http://www.museumoftherockies.org/Home/EXPLORE/Dinosaurs/PeopleinPaleo/JackHorner/tabid/389/Default.aspx was asked to name a favorite teacher to win an award, he picked Rolland Karlin.

Karlin, 61, a fifth-grade teacher from tiny Big Timber, has made his middle-school Science Olympiad team a powerhouse, winning 16 state championships over the past 25 years.

For at least that long, Karlin has worked with Horner, inviting him to lecture in Big Timber and bringing his fifth-graders and science teams to visit Horner’s dinosaur fossils and other scientific marvels at the Museum of the Rockies.

"I’m so proud, so honored," Karlin said at the museum Tuesday, after posing with an oversized check for $1,000. It was awarded by the nonprofit TeachersCount http://www.teacherscount.org/ , as part of the group’s annual effort to recognize the "fabulous" teachers behind famous people.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

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