NCSS Innovation Awards

The NCSS Innovation Awards Program recognizes the nation’s most innovative teachers, programming and partnerships!

Nominate a Member

2025 Award Nominations

Use the links shown here to complete a nomination form for the 2025 awards. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, September 26!

Innovative STEM Student Program
STEM Teacher of the Year
Innovative Partnership Award

Congratulations to the 2024 Winners!

Innovative STEM Student Program of the Year

Congratulations to Fulton Science Academy Private School‘s STEAM Houses Program!

 

The NCSS Innovative STEM Student Program of the Year award celebrates unique student programs engaging students in STEM that are planned and executed by Institutional Member schools. The nominated program should advance the mission of the member school. Each Institutional Member may nominate only one STEM Student Program that occurred in the 2022-23 school year. The selected student program of the year will also demonstrate:

      • How the program supported and advanced the goals of the member school
      • How the program engaged students in STEM
      • Feedback or lessons learned from the program that could support implementation at other Institutional Member schools

    Innovative Teacher of the Year

    Congratulations to Dr. Elaine Parshall of the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics!

    The NCSS Innovative Teacher of the Year award celebrates a teacher who works at Institutional Member schools. The nominated teacher should advance the mission of the member school and STEM education. Each Institutional Member may nominate only one teacher that taught in the 2022-23 school year. The selected Innovative Teacher of the year will also demonstrate:

        • How the teacher implements STEM infused teaching strategies and innovation in their classroom
        • How the teacher incorporates STEM into their school’s culture or connects STEM to real-world careers and industry
        • Feedback or lessons learned from the teacher that could support implementation at other Institutional Member school

      Watch the video below about Dr. Parshall.

      Innovative Partnership of the Year

      Congratulations to Raisbeck Aviation High School‘s Port of Seattle Environmental Challenge Project!

      The NCSS Innovative Partnership of the Year award celebrates partnership initiatives planned and executed by Institutional Member schools. The nominated program should have been active during the 2022-23 school year. The selected Innovative Partnership of the year will also demonstrate:

         

        • How the partnership supported and advanced the goals of both organizations

        • How the partnership strengthened STEM in their community

      • Feedback or lessons learned from the partnership that could support implementation at other Institutional Member schools

      Past Award Winners

      Recognizing inventiveness in STEM student programming at member schools

      • 2023 Winner: Astronomy Society of Fulton Science Academy
      • 2022 Winner: TJ Space (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology)
      • 2021 Winner: Ryden Program for Innovation and Leadership in Artificial Intelligence (North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics)
      • 2020 Winner: IMSA STEM League (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy)
      • 2019 Winner: Rockdale Magnet School of Science and Technology for their Peer Mentors entry.

      Recognizing teacher inventiveness in the classroom

      • 2023 Winner: Dr. Elisa Rambo (Alabama School of Mathematics and Science)
      • 2022 Winner: Sarah Holmes (St. Teresa’s Academy)
      • 2021 Winner: Angela Taricco (Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science)
      • 2020 Winner: Dr. Whitney Holden (Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts)

      This was a new award for 2020!

      Recognizing inventiveness in partnerships between member schools, local businesses, corporations, and/or post-secondary institutions

      • 2023 Winners: (tie): From Seeds to Shoreline, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics AND The Manne Institute, The Bronx High School of Science
      • 2022 Winner: GSST W&M AIRduino Atmospheric Aerosol Monitoring (New Horizon’s Governors School)
      • 2021 Winner: Career Challenge: Math at Work! (Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy)
      • 2020 Winner: Gatton Academy – Cloudbridge International STEM Field Research Partnership (Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky)
      • 2019 Winner: Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts for their Research in the Park entry.