Awards and Recognition Program

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.

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 responsibilities include 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
 

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

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

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

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

Get tips and recommendations from past Shell Science Teaching Award winners

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.

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.