Applications are now closed for the 10th Delaware STEM Educator Awards

Program Summary – The Delaware STEM Educator Awards recognize a teacher or team of teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels of both traditional public & private schools and community programming that demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement. Applicants for this award include science (all fields), mathematics (all fields), computer science, engineering, and CTE educators. At least three unrestricted cash awards of up to $7,500 will be given to each first-place winning teacher or team of teachers. To learn more about the 9th Award Winners, please read this article from November 2023 – Delaware STEM Council

Definitions – The Delaware STEM Council’s and Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education’s (DFSME) definition of STEM education and the Council’s three goals are the basis for the preliminary evaluation of exemplary STEM practice in the classroom.

Definition of STEM:

STEM Education is an approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for all students through student-focused, problem-based curricula and instruction. STEM education fosters creativity and innovation while developing communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills through a focus on authentic and appropriate contexts in curriculum and assessment.

STEM Council Goals:

  • Expand the number of Delaware students who ultimately pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields and broaden the participation of women and minorities in these fields;
  • Expand the STEM capable workforce to create, grow and attract STEM-related businesses to Delaware;
  • Increase STEM literacy for all Delaware students including those who pursue non-STEM related careers, but need STEM skills.

Eligibility – Applicants can be certified K-12 teachers in the Delaware public & private school systems as well as exceptional educators who may be uncertified but still work with K-12 students in a focused STEM curriculum. Such a curriculum (science, math, engineering, technology, computer science and CTE) must still meet all expectations and goals of the Delaware STEM Council, as listed above. Programs can include before and after-school programs, weekend programming as well as summer camps. Preference is given to published STEM curriculums and programs that have been vetted, sustainable STEM programs and activities that have impacted many and can be replicated and scaled across the state and beyond.

Incomplete applications or those submitted without following the specified guidelines will be automatically disqualified. Ensure that your application communicates the information you intend. Submit all application materials and questions to Daniel Suchenski the Executive Director of the Delaware STEM Council to DelawareSTEMAwards (at) gmail [dot] com Completed applications and all supporting materials will be accepted on a rolling basis but must be received by Sept 06, 2024. Applications are now closed for 2024. Please check back in 2025 for an updated application.

  • Are you a Delaware STEM educator and considering applying for the Delaware STEM Educator Awards?
    • Please watch this video to learn why you should apply today here.
    • Here is an article on a past winner and their experiences with the award here
    • Here is another posting from a past winner and their advice for future winner here
  • Considering being a sponsor of the awards? Please see this video on YouTube and consider highlighting the great works of Delaware’s STEM Educators here.

Here is all the information needed to apply for the Delaware STEM Educator Awards. 10th Running of the STEM Awards – Application here Applications are CURRENTLY CLOSED. The above application material should be used as reference only until the new application for the 11th running is available.

Attend the 10th Annual Delaware STEM Educator Awards in-person at Buena Vista on Nov. 7th. Register here.

 

1st Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Ruth Fuchs 1st Mellvaine Early Childhood Center Caesar Rodney School District
Patrick “Brooks” Twilley, Brian M. Sherrer, Jordan Estock 1st Mount Pleasant HS, Brandywine HS, Concord HS Brandywine School District
Amanda Bowen 2nd Bunker Hill Elementary Appoquinimink School District
Robert Gibson 2nd Sussex Central High School Indian River School District

2nd Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Robert Gibson 1st Sussex Central High School Indian River School District
Travis Bower 1st Selbyville Middle School Indian River School District
Michelle Harris 1st Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna School District
Jeffrey Kilner 2nd Sussex Central High School Indian River School District
James Sekcienski 3rd Appoquinimink high school Appoquinimink School District

3rd Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Robert Gibson 1st Sussex Central High School Indian River School District
Travis Bower 1st Selbyville Middle School Indian River School District
Michelle Harris 1st Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna School District
Jeffrey Kilner 2nd Sussex Central High School Indian River School District
James Sekcienski 3rd Appoquinimink high school Appoquinimink School District

4th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Christopher Harris 1st Caesar Rodney High School Caesar Rodney School District
Cindy Isaacs 1st IRSD Exceptional Cognitive Enrichment Learning STEM Indian River School District
Karen Ferrucci 2nd William Penn High School Colonial School District
Jacqueline Chesworth 2nd Mount Pleasant Elementary School  Brandywine School District
Peter Kelly 3rd Brandywine Springs School Red Clay Consolidated School District
Amanda Gaglione 3rd Milford School District Milford School District

5th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Margaret (Peggie) Birch 1st Caesar Rodney High Caesar Rodney School District
Sarah Betlejewski 1st Millsboro Middle School Indian River School District
Heather Fitzgerald 1st North Smyrna Elementary School Smyrna School District
Karen Ferrucci 2nd William Penn High Colonial School District
Michele Thomas 3rd Sussex Technical High School Sussex County Vocational Technical School District

6th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District 
Certified      
Rebecca Sheahan 1st Thomas McKean High School Red Clay Consolidated School District
Samuel Fawks, Stephen Lee, Stella Evans, Anarie Rio 1st P.S. duPont Middle School Brandywine School District
Leona Williams 1st Forwood Elementary School Brandywine School District
Melanie Mundell & Elise Knable 2nd Newark Charter Junior Senior High School Newark Charter School
Community Award Winners      
Deborah Liczwek   Science, Technology and Research Institute of Delaware (STRIDE)  NA
Jacqueline Means   The Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative NA 

7th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Certified      
Melissa Blair Tracy 1st Odyssey Charter School Odyssey Charter School
Daniel Rice & Peter Burnham 1st
Delmar Senior High School
Delmar School District 
Gail Morris 1st Gauger-Cobbs Middle School Christina School District
Community Award Winners      
Jacqueline Means 1st  The Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative  NA

8th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners (2022)

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Certified      
Wendy Turner 2nd Mount Pleasant Elementary School Brandywine School District
Jamie Swartz 1st John M Clayton Elementary School Indian River School District
Community Award Winners      
Divita Taduvayi & Arnav Taduvayi 1st Girls Tech Together – ES NA
Kristen Melendez & Milton Melendez 1st  Engineer Early – MS NA
John Larock, Brandi Mycoff, Joseph Perrotto, Louis Rossi, Brian West, Richard Schlack 1st  MOE Robotics – HS NA

9th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners (2023)

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Certified      
Krista Bivins – Certified – ES – Kent 1st North Smyrna Elementary – Sunnyside Elementary – Clayton Intermediate Smyrna School District 
Tommie Polite – Certified – MS – Sussex 2nd
Seaford Middle School
 Seaford School District
Sarah Leonard – Certified – MS – NCC 1st Louis L. Redding Middle School Appoquinimink School District
Sharon L. Bourke, Ph.D. 1st Caesar Rodney High School Caesar Rodney School District
Community Award Winners      
Todd Klawinski 1st  Caesar Rodney School District Environmental Education Caesar Rodney School District
Raymond Helie, Sarah Smith, Kelly Townsend 1st  Padua Academy – HS NA

10th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners (2024)

Name Place Affiliation School District  
Certified      
  1st    
  1st
 
 
  1st    
Community Award Winners      
  1st