The 12 Iowa teachers who’re finalists for the Presidential Award in Science and Math teaching have been chosen, and Mason City science teacher Ken Schaefer was in the group who met yesterday in Governor Tom Vilsack’s office. Schaefer says the national winner will be named sometime this fall. Schaefer has been a high-school teacher for 36 years. He says teaching’s always been rewarding because kids like it and enjoy hands-on work. Schaefer’s been recognized for his work in changing the way science is taught in today’s classrooms. He says they’re trying to get away from the lecture approach to a more “hands on” approach.Some of the teachers couldn’t attend the governor’s congratulatory meeting because school’s already started in their districts.