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

Congratulations to the 2023 Winners!

  • NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program Award: Astronomy Society of Fulton Science Academy
  • NCSSS Innovative Partnership Award (tie): From Seeds to Shoreline, South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics AND The Manne Institute, The Bronx High School of Science
  • NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award: Dr. Elisa Rambo, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science

Watch the video about the award winners.

Key Updates to the Nomination Process

  • Easier nomination form.
  • Ability to nominate yourself or others when you register for the Professional Conference.
  • NO videos required for the nomination! Photos encouraged but also not required.
  • Videos will be created when the finalists are named.
  • Finalists will be spotlighted in the NCSSS digital magazine, STEM Edge.

Awards

We have three awards members can be nominated for:

  • NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program Award
  • NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award
  • NCSSS Innovative Partnership Award

Nominate someone in your school today!

NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program Award

Recognizing inventiveness in STEM student programming at member schools

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.

The NCSSS 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

NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award

Recognizing teacher inventiveness in the classroom

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!

The NCSSS 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 schools

NCSSS Innovative Partnership Award

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

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.

The NCSSS 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