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Awards and Recognition Program

 

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Recognizing Excellence in Science Teaching and Learning

NSTA Awards recognize exceptional individuals for their accomplishments and outstanding work in the science education field.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, more than $72,000 in cash and prizes is available yearly.

Join our web seminar on Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET , to learn about all NSTA Teacher Awards available and how to apply.

Submission Deadline: December 19, 2024

 

Angela Award

Honors a female student in grades 5–8 with a strong connection to science

Award Detail PDF

This award honors one female student in grades 5–8, who is involved in or has a strong connection to science. The award has been established in honor of Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Emeritus, and his outstanding dedication to NSTA and lifelong commitment to science education.

Eligibility: Any female student in grades 5–8 who is a resident of the United States, US Territories, or Canada, and is enrolled in full time public, private, or home school. NSTA employees, NSTA Board and Council members, award judges, and their immediate families are NOT eligible to apply.
Award: $500 cash award. The awardee will be honored at a private ceremony arranged in conjunction with the student's school and faculty.

 

 

Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers

Provides teachers in their first five years of teaching with funds to attend the annual National Conference on Science Education

Award Detail PDF

This award honors NSTA members who are teachers that have made extraordinary contributions to the field of science teaching.

Eligibility:To be eligible, a teacher must have taught less than five years full-time at the time of application and be an NSTA member in good standing. To the extent possible, recipients must have been a student member of NSTA as a preservice teacher.
Award:The award consists of up to $1,000 to be used to attend the annual National Conference. Recipients will be invited to attend a variety of workshops and presentations that are of particular interest to new teachers at the annual National Conference.

 

 

Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award

Recognizes teachers who successfully use innovation and excellence in their classroom

Award Details

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The Robert E. Yager Exemplary Teaching Award will recognize six (6) full-time K–12 teachers of science who successfully use innovation and excellence in their classroom.

Eligibility: K–12 science teachers residing in NSTA's districts.
Award: $1,000 towards expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education, and $1,000 for the awardee. Six awardees will be selected annually. They will present at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education. The awardees will be invited to attend and present at their grade band share-a-thon at the National Conference, attend the district director meet-and-greet, attend and participate in their NSTA District Director Leadership retreat. The awardee will be presented the award at the Teacher Awards Event at the National Conference.

 

 

Shell Science Teaching Award

Recognizes a teacher who has had a positive impact through exemplary classroom science teaching

Deadline to complete your Shell Teaching Awards application: December 19, 2025

Nominate   |   Apply   |   Award Detail PDF

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A partnership between Shell USA, Inc. and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), this award recognizes one outstanding classroom teacher (grades K–12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and the community through exemplary science teaching. Special projects may be mentioned but should not be the focus of the applicant’s application.

Eligibility:Applicants must be classroom teachers whose responsibilitiesinclude teaching science. Applicants must have a minimum of eight (8) years of experience (not including the current school year) as a teacher of science and must teach in a public or private school in the United States, U.S. Territories, Department of Defense schools, or in Canada.

Award: The Shell Science Teaching Award recipient will receive $10,000. The recipient and the two finalists will each receive an expense‐paid trip to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education. During the conference, they will be honored at the Shell Reception. The 10 semifinalists will receive certificates of distinction.


Sample of teaching philosophy and instructional method
 

computer icon Archived web seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for Shell Teaching Awards (2020.10.29)

computer icon Archived web seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for the Shell Science Teaching Award (2016.12.07)

computer icon Archived web seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for the Shell Science Teaching Award (2014.10.15)

computer icon Archived web seminar: Developing a Competitive Application for the Shell Science Teaching Award (2012.09.26)

movie icon Get tips and recommendations from past Shell Science Teaching Award winners

 

 

Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award

Awards seven diverse educators in pursuit of professional development, and serves to increase the science educator talent pool of minority educators

Deadline extension to complete your Shell Teaching Awards application: January 2, 2025

Nominate   |   Apply   |   Award Detail PDF

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This award provides support to outstanding diverse educators in pursuit of professional development, active participation at the NSTA National Conference on Science Education and committees that transitions into leadership roles and serves to increase the science educator talent pool of underrepresented populations in STEM to meet the education work force of the future. The recipients of the Award will be honored during the Shell Reception at the NSTA National Conference in Science Education.

Eligibility: The applicant must be a K‐12 science teacher in an urban setting. Classroom science teachers at the elementary, middle or high school level who are part of underrepresented populations in STEM are eligible. Qualifying underrepresented populations in STEM are: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans/Alaska Natives who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment, Hawaiian natives, natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands, and other

Award: The award consists of $1800 to be used to attend the annual NSTA National Conference on Science Education, a year’s membership in NSTA, AMSE, and a year’s subscription in the Shell Educator Cohort ($6,000 value). Recipients will be invited to attend a variety of workshops and presentations that are of particular interest to urban teachers at the annual National Conference. Recognition at the Shell Awards reception, attend the AMSE Alice J. Moses Breakfast or other AMSE social, participate in the Multicultural Share‐a‐thon, participate in the AMSE Town Hall Meeting, participate in the Shell Educator Cohort throughout the year. Seven awards will be given annually.

 

 

Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers

Honors an elementary school teacher who has established an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plan

Award Detail PDF

This award honors one elementary school teacher who has established (or is establishing) an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plan. The lesson plan will fully reference sources of information and any relevant Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and benchmarks found in The Atlas of Science Literacy.

Eligibility: Elementary school teachers (grades K–6); applicants must be a full-time teacher with a minimum of five years of experience
Award: The award consists of $1,000 and up to $500 to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education; the recipient of the award will be honored during the Awards Event at the NSTA Conference.

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