Massachusetts Hall of Fame for Science Educators

Joseph J. Balsama (1993)

After graduating from Belmont High School in 1951, Joseph Balsama received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at Boston University in 1955. He continued at Boston University, earning his Masters Degree in Science Education in 1956.

Joseph has taught Climatology, Marine Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, and Earth Science for thirty-six years. He worked as a field aid for the National Weather Service for four summers between 1961 and 1966. He was the Director of the Swampscott Summer School Program from 1972 to 1985.

In 1980, he served as the Assistant Director of the Marine Science Institute at Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts. He has held office in several organizations.

Joseph was the Head of the Science Department at Swampscott High School when he retired in June of 1995. He remains in Swampscott, Massachusetts as a Town Meeting member, a member of the Swampscott Conservation Commission, and Chairperson of the Swampscott War Memorial Scholarship Fund. He has recently co-authored a book entitled Weather Basics (1997).

Special Honors:

• President of the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society for two terms
• President of the Swampscott Historical Society for two terms
• President of the Massachusetts Association of Science Supervisors for one term
• President of the Lynn Mineral Club for seven terms
• Hospitality Chairperson during the National Science Teachers Association Convention in Boston in 1992
• Presented with the Massachusetts Association of Science Supervisors’ Outstanding Science Educators Award in 1992
• Nominated Teacher of the Year in 1971, 1974, and 1987 by the Swampscott School System
• Named Outstanding Teacher of Essex County by the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers
• Received an award from the Massachusetts Marine Educators for dedicated service and outstanding contributions to marine education
• Received an award from the Massachusetts Marine Educators for outstanding assistance and contributions to teachers, students, and colleagues in Marine Science

Last Modified: October 7, 2004