Awards

LSTA Science Education Awards are presented by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, an affiliate of the National Science Teachers Association. These awards are bestowed in the categories listed below at the annual conference. Click on each of the award titles for the nomination/application form.

***Awards Deadline:  Sunday, September 29, 2024***  

• Outstanding Science Teacher Awards (Elementary, Middle and High School)
• Essie Beck “Rising Star”
• Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service to Science Education
• Distinguished Informal Science Educator
• William W. Craig University Educator
• Travel Grants

Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards

Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards are presented by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association to one science teacher at each level (elementary, middle, and secondary) who has demonstrated exemplary science teaching. This may include performance in the development/use of instructional materials, design/implementation of curriculum, and/or fostering school-based instructional programs in science for longer than five years.

The Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards consist of a $400 cash grant to be used at the discretion of the awardee, an award plaque, and recognition in the LASER.

Essie Beck “Rising Star” Science Education Award

The Essie Beck Rising Star Science Education Award is presented by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association to one science teacher at any level (K-12) who has demonstrated exemplary science teaching. This may include performance in the development/use of instructional materials, design/implementation of curriculum, and/or fostering school-based or community-based instructional programs in science for a period of three to five years. This award is named for Essie Beck who devoted both her teaching career and retirement years to the improvement of science education in Louisiana.

The Essie Beck “Rising Star” Science Education Award consists of a $400 cash grant to be used at the discretion of the awardee, an award plaque, and recognition in the LASER.

Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service to Science Education Award

The Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service to Science Education Award recognizes an LSTA member for distinguished service in the field of science education. LSTA members in good standing are invited to submit nomination packets of current LSTA members for review by the Awards Committee. The award recognizes an LSTA member who has made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of science education in the sciences and science teaching. The recipient may be a present or former school administrator, state department of education employee, elected official, LSTA officer, or other (at the discretion of the Awards Committee). The nominee must have been an LSTA member for a minimum of 3 years.

The Claudia Fowler Distinguished Service to Science Education Award consists of a $100 gift certificate, an award plaque, and recognition in the LASER.  

Distinguished Informal Science Education Award

The Distinguished Informal Science Education Award recognizes an LSTA member for distinguished service in the field of informal science education. LSTA members in good standing are invited to submit nomination packets of current LSTA members for review by the Awards Committee.  The award recognizes an LSTA member who is not a classroom teacher but who has made extraordinary contributions to science education outside the traditional school setting.  Examples include but are not limited to employees of a science-technology center, museum, nature center, community service center, foundation, state agency, or federal agency.  Business or industry representatives are also potential nominees. The nominee must have been an LSTA member for a minimum of 3 years.

The Distinguished Informal Science Education Award consists of a $100 gift certificate, an award plaque, and recognition in the LASER.

William Craig Outstanding University Educator Award

The Louisiana Science Teachers Association has instituted an award to honor the memory of the late Dr. William W. Craig, Professor of Geology at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Craig’s influence upon K-12 educators was profound, even though his area of work was that of a research scientist. This award seeks to recognize University faculty members who like Dr. Craig, have reached out to K-12 educators and made a difference in their careers. LSTA members in good standing are invited to submit nomination packets of current LSTA members for review by the Awards Committee.  The nominee must presently be a two- or four-year college instructor who has been an LSTA member for a minimum of 3 years.

The William Craig Outstanding University Educator Award consists of a $100 gift certificate, an award plaque, and recognition in the LASER.

LSTA Travel Grants

LSTA is awarding 10 travel grants for $600 each to offset the expense of attending the NSTA National Conference in New Orleans on November 6-9, 2024.  The money can be used to cover conference registration, lodging, meals, parking, or travel.  Grant applicants will be notified of their status at least three weeks prior to the conference.  The money will be reimbursed following the conference.  A committee of science leaders from throughout the state will score the applications.  Order of receipt or geographic location will not necessarily be considered in the awarding of the travel grants.