STAT Statewide Awards

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Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards
Distinguished Leadership in Science Education Award
Gerald Skoog Cup for Outstanding Leadership in Science Teacher Education
Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education

Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards

The Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year Awards recognize excellence in science teaching in Texas public, private, or charter schools, and are presented annually.

The awards are presented to STAT members in the following categories:

• Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year (early childhood–grade 5 or 6, dependent upon the school)
• Outstanding Secondary Science Teacher of the Year (grades 6–12, dependent upon the school)

Requirements

• Evidence of creativity in the classroom, dedication to community involvement and professional growth as demonstrated through the application process.
• Appropriate grade-level designation.
• Currently a member of STAT.
• Currently teaching in a Texas school.
• Not currently serving as an Executive Board member or Awards Committee member.

Recognition

• Each award recipient is announced in the fall and formally recognized at CAST.
• Each award recipient receives a physical award, a $500 honorarium, complimentary CAST registration, two nights in a CAST hotel, and a customary travel expense reimbursement.

Distinguished Leadership in Science Education Award

The Distinguished Leadership in Science Education Award is presented annually and recognizes outstanding support of science education at the district or state level by a nonteaching administrator in early childhood through grade 12, or nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers.

Requirements

• Evidence of outstanding support of science education at the district or state level or in a role in which the work supports science teachers, and dedication to community involvement and supporting the professional growth of teachers as demonstrated through the application process.
• Currently a member of STAT.
• Currently serving in a nonteaching administrator role in a Texas school district or campus or serving in a role in which the work supports science teachers.
• Not currently serving as an Executive Board member or Awards Committee member.

Recognition

• The award recipient is announced in the fall and formally recognized at CAST.
• The award recipient receives a physical award, a $500 honorarium, complimentary CAST registration, two nights in a CAST hotel, and a customary travel expense reimbursement.

Gerald Skoog Cup for Outstanding Leadership in Science Teacher Education

The Gerald Skoog Cup for Outstanding Leadership in Science Teacher Education is presented to a faculty or staff member at a Texas college or university who has demonstrated significant contributions to and leadership in the development of quality science education. The award is named for Dr. Gerald Skoog, the Paul Whitfield Horn Professor Emeritus of Texas Tech University.

This award will only be given when an exceedingly worthy individual is identified and is bestowed upon by a special action of the STAT Executive Board. As such, there is no formal application, nor is this an annual award. However, recommendations for potential recipients may be sent to the Board at [email protected] during the award nominations window.

Requirements

• Evidence of significant contributions and leadership in the development of quality science education through university programming as demonstrated through an application process.
• Currently a member of STAT.
• Currently serving in a nonteaching administrator role in a Texas school district or campus.
• Not currently serving as an Executive Board member or Awards Committee member.

Recognition

• The award recipient is announced in the fall and formally recognized at CAST.
• The award recipient receives the Skoog Cup trophy, complimentary CAST registration, two nights in a CAST hotel, and a customary travel expense reimbursement.

Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education

The Virginia Woods Award may be presented in an ongoing recognition of Virginia Woods's contributions to science education in general and to the Science Teachers Association of Texas in particular. It is the highest award STAT can bestow upon a member for contributions to science education. The award is named for Virginia Woods, STAT's longtime executive secretary.

This award will only be given when an exceedingly worthy individual is identified and is bestowed upon by a special action of the STAT Executive Board. As such, there is no formal application, nor is this an annual award. However, recommendations for potential recipients may be sent to the Board at [email protected] during the award nominations window.

Requirements

• The recipient must be a long-standing member of STAT (20 years or more).
• One letter of nomination and two to five letters of support, plus the nominee’s curriculum vitae, are required.
• Significant contributions to science education, including any or all of the following, must be demonstrated:
  • outstanding leadership and service in STAT activities,
  • long-standing leadership in a field of science education,
  • outstanding contributions to the improvement of science curriculum,
  • scholarly writing in the field of science education,
  • contributions to science education over a significant length of time, 
  • overall excellence of contributions to STAT and science education.

Recognition

• The award recipient is announced in the fall and formally recognized at CAST.
• The award recipient receives a physical award, complimentary CAST registration, two nights in a CAST hotel, and a customary travel expense reimbursement.

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