Awards and Recognition Program
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
Awards
Angela Award
Honors a female student in grades 5–8 with a strong connection to science
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
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
Shell Science Teaching Award
Recognizes a teacher who has had a positive impact through exemplary classroom science teaching
Deadline for submission is December 19, 2024
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 for submission is December 19, 2024
Sylvia Shugrue Award for Elementary School Teachers
Honors an elementary school teacher who has established an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based lesson plan
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.