A Robbinsdale teacher has received the Medtronic Foundation Science Teaching Award for elementary school teachers for 2014.

Cara Rieckenberg, program coordinator at the west metro school district's School of Engineering and Arts, "is an exemplary teacher," the district said in a news release announcing the award.

The award, which recognizes excellence in science teaching, is sponsored by the Medtronic Foundation.

Rieckenberg, 41, will receive the award at the Minnesota Conference for Science Education on Feb. 21, at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato. She will receive $1,000 for use in her classroom.

Rieckenberg came to the Robbinsdale district in fall 2012 after 10 years in the Prior Lake-Savage Area school district, where she was coordinator of environmental education.

PAMELA MILLEr