The NCSSS Innovation Awards Program recognizes the nation’s most innovative teachers, programming and partnerships!
We have three awards members can be nominated for:
- NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program Award
- NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award
- NCSSS Innovative Partnership Award
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 4!
Learn more about each award below and fill out the form to nominate a program, person, or partnership.
Innovative STEM Student Program of the Year
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
Nominate a STEM Student Program of the Year:
Innovative Teacher of the Year
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
Nominate an Innovative Teacher of the Year:
Innovative Partnership of the Year
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
Nominate an Innovative Partnership of the Year:
Previous Award Winners
Watch our video about the 2023 award winners.
NCSSS Innovative STEM Student Program 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.
NCSSS Innovative STEM Teacher Award Winners
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!
NCSSS Innovative Partnership Award Winners
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.