Calling all full time pre-kindergarten through second grade teachers! (Tell your upper elementary colleagues too.) Win an award for your innovative science inquiry program through the National Science Teacher Association that will put some cash in your pocket and pay for your expenses to attend the national NSTA conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The conferences are fun—sessions every hour  to meet your professional development needs (and do cool activities), a great Exhibit Hall with organizations handing out freebies and a wide variety of vendors, and stimulating conversations with colleagues who share your interests. Many attendees keep in touch after the conference and continue to discuss and share ideas by email or on the NSTA Learning Center forums.
In addition to receiving funding to attend the conference, there are other reasons to apply:

• to share your good science lessons and effective science teaching with other educators,
• to bring honor to your mentors and students, and
• to have a great opportunity to get away and get connected with other teachers of science.

One award is open to teachers of preK-12, one is open to teachers of K-5, and one is open to teachers of K-6. Check them out!
Delta Education/Frey-Neo/CPO Science Education Awards for Excellence in Inquiry-based Science Teaching
The Delta Education/Frey-Neo/CPO Science Awards for Excellence in Inquiry-based Science Teaching will recognize and honor three (3) full-time PreK–12 teachers of science who successfully use inquiry-based science to enhance teaching and learning in their classroom.
Eligibility:PreK–12 teachers
Award: $1,500 towards expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference, and $1,500
for the awardee.
Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers
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 National Science Education Standards 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 Banquet at the NSTA Conference.
Vernier Technology Awards
The Vernier Technology Awards will recognize and reward the innovative use of data collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld in the science classroom. A total of seven awards are presented: one award at the elementary level (grades K–5); two awards at the middle level (grades 6–8); three awards at the high school level (grades 9–12); one award at the college level.
Eligibility: K–college. Applicants may not have won previously at their school.
Award: Each award will consist of $1,000 towards expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference, $1,000 in cash for the teacher, and $1,000 in Vernier products.
Read the criteria for judging the applications online at http://nsta.org/about/awards.aspx  Completed applications must be received by November 30. See the NSTA website for information about other awards.
Conferences are worthwhile even if you aren’t applying for an award—check out the upcoming conference schedule, to put in a proposal for a session or to look up the conference closest to you.
Hope to see you there! Peggy