Do you inspire your students with inquiry or beguile them with biotechnology? Do you work with educators whose expertise and innovative ideas are making a difference in their classrooms, the school, and beyond? Nominate them (or yourself) for one of 17 NSTA awards totaling more than $80,000 in cash and prizes.

For more than 60 years, NSTA’s awards program has been recognizing science educators for outstanding efforts to raise their practice and improve their students’ education at every grade level and in any setting. The program now offers awards targeted to new and established teachers, formal and informal educators, and one award for a middle school female student. Ten awards are open to all applicants who meet the awards’ specific criteria, while seven awards are available only to NSTA members. In addition to the specific awards, winners also receive a free one-year NSTA membership and free registration for the 2013 National Conference on Science Education in San Antonio, Texas.

• The Ron Mardigian Memorial Biotechnology Explorer Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad, will be presented to an exceptional high school teacher who has made biotechnology learning accessible to the classroom. The award includes $1,000 toward expenses to attend the NSTA national conference, $500 in cash, and $250 in Bio-Rad products. The awardee will be honored at the NSTA Awards Banquet; the awardee and a teacher guest will be invited to a dinner with members of Bio-Rad’s Explorer team. Applicants also may apply for Bio-Rad’s Biotechnology Mini-Grant of up to $2,000 in Bio-Rad materials.
• The SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year will be recognized for working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. This teacher will win $10,000; an expenses-paid trip (including one guest) to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, for a special awards event; and an all-expenses-paid trip to the NSTA national conference.
• The Vernier Technology Awards will honor seven individuals for their innovative use of data collection technology using a computer, graphing calculator, or other handheld device in the science classroom. One elementary educator (grades K–5), two middle level educators (grades 6–8), three high school educators (grades 9–12), and one college educator will each receive $1,000 in cash, $1,500 toward expenses to attend the NSTA national conference, and $3,000 in Vernier products.
• The Delta Education/Frey-Neo/CPO Science Education Awards for Inquiry-Based Science Teaching include $1,500 plus $1,500 for travel expenses to NSTA’s national conference (preK–12 teachers eligible).
• The Faraday Science Communicator Award provides $2,500 for travel expenses to NSTA’s national conference (individuals or organizations promoting science eligible).
• Winners of the PASCO STEM Educator Awards receive $1,000 plus $1,500 for travel expenses to NSTA’s national conference and $2,000 in PASCO products (K–12 science teachers eligible).
• The Shell Science Teaching Award winner is presented with $10,000 plus all travel expenses to attend NSTA’s national conference; finalists also receive all travel expenses to the conference (K–12 science teachers eligible).
• The Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers consists of $1,000 plus $500 for travel expenses to NSTA’s national conference (elementary science teachers eligible).
• The Wendell G. Mohling Outstanding Aerospace Educator Award includes $3,000 plus $2,000 for travel expenses to NSTA’s national conference (informal science teachers eligible).

In addition, female students in grades 5–8 involved in or with a strong connection to science can apply for the Angela Award, consisting of a $1,000 (value at maturity) U.S. EE Savings Bond or equivalent Canadian Savings Bond.

NSTA members also may apply for the following awards:

• The Maitland P. Simmons Memorial Award for New Teachers supports up to 25 K–12 teachers in their first five years of teaching with mentoring and continuing involvement with NSTA, as well as a maximum of $1,000 in expenses to attend the 2013 NSTA National Conference on Science Education. Applicants must be NSTA members in good standing; to the extent possible, recipients must have been a student member of NSTA as a preservice teacher.
• The Distinguished Informal Science Education Award offers $500 and three nights’ lodging at the conference.
• The Distinguished Service to Science Education Awards provide $500 and three nights’ lodging at the conference.
• Winners of the Distinguished Teaching Awards receive $500 and three nights’ lodging at the conference.
• The NSTA Fellow Award supports one night of lodging at the conference.
• The NSTA Legacy Award consists of $500 in travel expenses for the awardee’s family and two nights’ lodging at the conference.
• The Robert H. Carleton Award, NSTA’s highest honor, provides $5,000 plus all travel expenses to attend the conference.

Award applications are due by November 30, except for the Shell Science Teaching Award ( November 12) and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year ( December 31). For more information on individual awards or to download applications, visit www.nsta.org/awards.