Awards and Grants

Awards and Grants Information:

FAST Award Explanations

Outstanding Teacher Awards for Elementary, Middle/Junior and High School

The Outstanding Teacher Awards are designed to recognize the significant contributions of teachers to science education. Teachers are not precluded from nominating themselves. Evidence of the following should be included in the nomination packet:

1. Participation in professional organizations showing active leadership through the participation in professional science and science education organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
2. Maintaining a classroom/laboratory environment that encourages a positive student attitude toward science, enhances student curiosity, participation, and promotes scientific literacy.
3. Developing and using innovative instructional materials and new approaches to the teaching of science.
4. Effectively using community resources including projects, speakers, and field trips.
5. Continuing education, attending workshops, and professional conferences to continue to develop as an effective educator.

Click here to download the Application (pdf)  

Award of Promise

The Award of promise is intended for a teacher with three to five years of experience who has demonstrated an interest and aptitude for teaching science. The same criteria for Outstanding Teacher will be used for evaluation, but consideration will be given to the formative state of the nominee.

Click here to download the Application (pdf)  

Outstanding Science Educator

The Outstanding Science Educator Award is intended to recognize the singular contributions of an individual for promoting science and science education over a significant period of time. Nominations should include letters of support and other evidence clearly demonstrating how the individual has made unique and extraordinary contributions to science education at the local, district, and state level.

Click here to download the Application (pdf)  

FAST: Teacher Professional Development Travel Grant

Professional Development Grants for teachers to attend the Annual FAST Conference will be awarded. Up to two elementary school teachers (K-5), two middle school teachers (6-8), and two high school teachers (9-12) will be selected. Recipients of the grants will be notified by September. They will be required to submit a report on their session and workshop experiences, along with their receipts for reimbursement by no later than November.

Click here to download the Application (pdf)  

FAST: Mini Grants

A minimum of two Mini-grants up to $500.00 each will be awarded. Do you have an idea that could be a source of funding? Do you want to fund a creative teaching idea? Apply for the classroom Mini-Grant from FAST.

Click here to download the Application (pdf)  

Ocean Optics Grant Program

   Ocean Optics Grant Program web site  

   Grant Information  

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Program was established in 1983 by The White House and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program identifies outstanding mathematics and science teachers, kindergarten through 12th grade, in each state and the four U.S. jurisdictions. These teachers will serve as models for their colleagues and will be leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education.

In even-numbered years, the award is given to elementary teachers (grades K-6); in odd-numbered years, secondary teachers (grades 7-12) are recognized.

Teachers applying for the PAEMST must be nominated. Anyone (e.g. principals, teachers, students, and other members of the general public) may nominate a teacher.

   Self-nominations will be accepted.
   Self-nominations will be accepted!

Each Presidential Awardee will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and gifts from donors. Each Awardee will also be invited to attend, along with a guest, recognition events in Washington, D.C., in March 2006, which will include: an award ceremony; a Presidential Citation; meetings with leaders in government and education; sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences; and receptions and banquets to honor recipients.

For more information, go to www.paemst.org.  

The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant

The Lemelson-MIT Program is currently accepting applications for 2010 InvenTeams, which are teams of high school students, teachers, and mentors that receive grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. The InvenTeam initiative is designed to excite high school students about invention, empower students through problem solving, and encourage an inventive culture in schools and communities. The deadline to submit is April 24, 2009.

Each Presidential Awardee will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation and gifts from donors. Each Awardee will also be invited to attend, along with a guest, recognition events in Washington, D.C., in March 2006, which will include: an award ceremony; a Presidential Citation; meetings with leaders in government and education; sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences; and receptions and banquets to honor recipients.

For more information, go to http://web.mit.edu/inventeams/apply.html.