Writeup on the The 10th annual Delaware Stem Educator Awards

The 10th annual Delaware Stem Educator Awards were the evening of Thursday November 7th, at the Buena Vista Country Estates in New Castle County. The event was a live broadcast and highlighted some of Delaware’s best STEM educators. The night recognized STEM excellence and innovation with each winner competing for cash prizes up to $7,500 each.

The 2024 award recipients were Michele Timmons from Phillip C. Showell Elementary in Selbyville, Jordan Estock from Concord High School in Wilmington, and the Math Marigolds team, a group of high school math educators from across the state.

The event was sponsored by Ashland, DuPont, Agilent, Mountaire Farms, LabWare, the Delaware Chapter of the American Chemical Society and Croda. It was also co-hosted by the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education (DFSME).

DFSME is a business-community-government partnership throughout the State of Delaware, working with educators and administrators by providing professional development on the best practices and improvements in STEM programs.

The Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Ashland, Carolmarie Brown, started the night off by saying, “Tonight, we celebrate a decade of honoring educators who have influenced generations through innovative concepts and approaches in science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Delaware’s elected officials made both in person and virtual appearances throughout the event. Governor Carney, Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, Representative Rochester, and Senator Coons spoke virtually, and Senator Carper delivered his remarks in person. Each congratulated the winners and spoke on the importance of continuing to build STEM education in Delaware.

The first to speak was Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long who said, “Stem education is creativity, its purpose, its innovation and having a curiosity for the world and making it a better place”. She went on to say, “Educators, pat yourself on the back for the difference you have made in the lives of our students and the state of Delaware.”

The next elected official to address the event was Senator Coons. “Delaware is a hub for STEM-prepared, advanced manufacturing jobs that are no longer the promise of tomorrow, but are here today”, said Coons. “You instill in our students the tools for success in pursuit of their careers.”

Michele Timmons, a K-5 STEM technology and library specialist teacher was the first to be recognized.

“I’m so grateful to work with K-5 students and to be able to expose them to career opportunities they never knew were possible,” Timmons said. She told a story about a little girl from one of her classes who came to her asking if she could become an aerospace engineer one day. Timmons was proud to tell her “yes kid, yes you can.”

The second winner of the night was Jordan Estock, a Design and Engineering teacher from Concord High School in Wilmington. He spoke briefly on the work his students have accomplished.

He said, “My kids use their STEM skills in the community to improve the lives of others.” He then thanked his community which serves as clients for his kids to use their skills. He also thanked his administration for being “allowed a long leash to let his students out of the classroom, which maybe would have not been allowed at a traditional brick and mortar school.”

Next up was Senator-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, saying, “You are the leaders making a difference in the lives of our young people…encouraging them to develop the STEM skills we need.” She then spoke on the importance of continuing this work, to prepare students to face the challenges of the 21st century.

The third award of the night went to the Math Marigolds, a team of five math educators.  Shellee Wong, Anthony Reid, Susan Sappington, David Moloney and Thomas Becker. They each work with the Delaware Mathematics Coalition, a statewide leadership coaching community, to promote STEM through math skills.

The Math Marigolds’ mission is to develop more student interest in becoming math teachers. They build a stronger pathway into mathematics education, and help students see what it means to be a teacher, and why teachers love to teach. The math pathway initiative has grown over the years from the original five teachers recognized tonight teaching 10 students, to a group of 30 educators mentoring more than 80 students.

The last of the elected officials to speak virtually was Governor Carney. He said, “Access to quality STEM education starts with educators like you. When employers look for a place to start a business, they look for a skilled workforce. Your work brings them here to Delaware.”

In honor of the event’s 10th anniversary, there were a series of essay awards from past recipients of the STEM educator awards. The first-place award went to Engineering Early whose mission is to “set the gears of wonder in motion for early learners through the power of STEM”.

The second-place award went to Girls Tech Together, a nonprofit organization aimed at introducing elementary school girls to fundamental skills in computer science. They use introductory activities and interaction with professionals to prepare them for the STEM-forward future.

Third place went to each of the remaining six essay applicants, Brandi Mycoff, Tommie Polite, Peggie Birch, Krista Bivins, Melissa Tracey, and Jackie Means. Each of them reflected on their time as educators and the ways in which they have been able to accomplish the goals of STEM education.

Towards the end of the evening, the Jon Manon STEAM Team Education Award was presented. The award recognizes a team of teachers who collaborate across disciplines. This year’s team is a little different as it is composed of both teachers and students.

The Delaware Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) is this year’s Manon Award winner, taking home a $1,000 prize. Delaware YES! is an organization of high school students from across the state who are passionate about protecting our Earth.

Carter Lunsford, the team’s student co-leader, spoke on their work. He recognized just how powerful a catalyst youth involvement is in getting this work done. Within just a couple of years they were able to get a plastic bag ban passed in Delaware, making it just the fourth state in the nation to pass such a law.

The next recognition of the night went to a team from Brandywine High School, one of three teams to win the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition. They received $100,000 in Samsung technology and $25,000 in school supplies. The competition highlights how the teams use STEM skills to create positive change in their communities.

The Armbrecht Award for Outstanding STEM Advocacy was the final acknowledgment of the night. This award is presented to a Delawarean who has shown outstanding commitment and collaboration between business, educators, and community leaders to improve math and science education for all students in Delaware. The 2024 recipient was Jack Cairns, recognized for his long-standing service to the state and its students.

Jack was a science teacher for nearly 20 years, and also created the Science Olympiad which continues to this day. After his service as a teacher, Jack was the Delaware State Supervisor of Science/Environmental Science until he became the State Director of the Science Resource Center. He retired in 2001.

The 2025 Armbrecht Award winner, Senator Tom Carper, was then introduced.  He took the podium saying, “I’m grateful of your steadfast commitment to teaching our students and next generation of leaders.” He finished his address with a congratulatory remark for the teachers, complementing them on a job well done. Senator Carper, whose work as former Governor to bolster math and science education, was instrumental in getting the state to where it is today.

To wrap up the night Dr. Kevin Dickerson, Superintendent of the POLYTECH School District and Dr. Michele Kutch, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Brandywine School District, spoke about the development of STEM education in Delaware and their specific districts.

“Beyond its significant practical applications, STEM education nurtures critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration,” said Dickerson. He also spoke about their hands-on apprenticeship programs which have helped several students go directly into the workforce after completion.

Dr. Kutch emphasized the work of the teachers, praising their dedication and commitment. She also touched on how teachers inspire their students and can light a path they never knew possible. To wrap up, she shifted her message to the future, “The work you do today is shaping the leaders, thinkers, and innovators of tomorrow. Our future scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians are in your classrooms right now.”

The award application process for the 11th Delaware STEM educator awards has opened. You can check it out at our website at https://delawarestem.org/symposium-educator-awards/.

This article was written by Jeet Heslin, a senior at the University of Delaware, who is majoring in political science and minoring in journalism.