Application open for the 10th STEM Educator Awards!!!

SYMPOSIUM

The Delaware STEM Symposium brings together thought leaders in all aspects of the STEM pipeline into thoughtful discussions into the challenges and opportunities that a STEM future means to Delaware and the region. Leading the Delaware Valley when it comes to STEM advocacy and resources, Delaware STEM brings leaders and experts from across the country to engage in this annual event.

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 schools and community programming who demonstrate STEM innovation and excellence through teaching, academic collaboration, and student engagement. At least three unrestricted cash awards of up to $7,500 will be given to each first-place winning teacher or team of teachers.


Definition of STEM:

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.

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:

  1. 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;
  2. expand the STEM capable workforce to create, grow and attract STEM-related businesses to Delaware;
  3. 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 school system 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 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.

Selection Procedure

The Delaware STEM Educator Award Selection Committee (a group representative of the Governor’s Delaware STEM Council) will review all completed applications and select first place winners in each category.  Finalists will be notified of their selection via telephone and postal mail and/or email.  Finalists will be recognized and presented with their awards during a STEM Council sponsored Symposium program where awardees will share innovative practices with teachers from throughout the state.  The date and details regarding the Symposium and Awards Ceremony program will be included with finalist notification. 

  • Interested in being a sponsor for the awards? Find out what it means to be a sponsor and how to learn more here.
  • Are you an educator that wants to learn more about What the awards are, Who should apply and How they the process works? Prospective applicants can find out more here

Applications for the 10th Awards are now open. Click here to download full application for the 10th running here: 10th Delaware STEM Educator Awards Application – 2024 (PDF)

REGISTER FOR THE 10TH DELAWARE STEM EDUCATOR AWARDS ON NOV, 2024 HERE.

1st Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

2nd Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

3rd Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

4th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

5th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

6th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

7th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

8th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

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

 

9th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners

Name Place Affiliation
Certified    
Krista Bivins 1st
North Smyrna Elementary – Sunnyside Elementary – Clayton Intermediate
Tommie Polite 2nd
Seaford Middle School
Sarah Leonard 1st
Louis L. Redding Middle School
Sharon L. Bourke 1st
Caesar Rodney High School
Community Award Winners    
Raymond Helie, Sarah Smith, Kelly Townsend 1st Padua Academy
Todd Klawinski 1st Caesar Rodney School District

10th Delaware STEM Educator Award Winners