Iowa STEM Teacher Award Nomination & Application

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Nomination Open

Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program Nomination

The nomination form for the 2025 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Program is open. Nominations are due November 15, 2024. 

Nominate a teacher

Each year, administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and other STEM advocates are invited to nominate an inspirational science, technology, engineering or mathematics teacher for the Iowa STEM Teacher Award and Iowa STEM.

This award honors teachers who make a significant difference in the lives of students across the state by providing excellent curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning and inspiring a passion for STEM beyond the classroom and into the future. We are looking for educators who represent Iowa, defined as:

  • Innovative: Use unique ways to educate students to develop a curiosity in STEM fields.
  • Outstanding: Have a true passion for education and provide an exceptional learning experience.
  • Worldly: Help students see that STEM is all around us and is more than the sum of its parts.
  • Academic: Engage students in the classroom, preparing them for higher education and high-demand careers.

One teacher from each of the six STEM regions is selected for their contributions and dedication to STEM education in Iowa. Each recipient receives $1,500 for personal use, as well as another $1,500 to be used in their classroom.

Eligibility

  • Eligible nominees include licensed, full-time, PreK-12 Iowa STEM teachers in public or non-public schools. 
  • For this award, a full-time teacher is defined as an educator who spends at least 75% of their working hours (approximately 30 hours, minimum) in the classroom - both virtually and in person - interacting with students.
  • Nominations for previous award recipients and self nominations are not be accepted.

Process Overview

  1. Administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, students and other STEM advocates are encouraged to submit a nomination for an outstanding STEM teacher. 
  2. Nominated educators are notified and sent an application to complete.
  3. A team of impartial Iowa reviewers select a STEM Teacher Award recipient for each of the six STEM regions based on a detailed rubric. The reviewers do not evaluate the application of any teacher to whom they have a connection or conflict of interest. The decisions of the panel are final and cannot be amended, unless under investigation by the Iowa Department of Education or for legal matters. References may be contacted at the discretion of the reviewer panel, References are not factored into the scoring assessment outlined on the rubric and are treated as an amendment as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When can I nominate a STEM teacher for this award?
    • The nomination period is open from Oct. 14 - Nov. 15, 2024. 
  • Can I nominate more than one teacher for this award?
    • Yes. In fact, we encourage the nomination of any deserving Iowa teacher for this award.
  • Where can I find the STEM Teacher Award rubric?
    • The 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award Scoring Guidelines are used by evaluators to assess completed nomination and application forms for each teacher.
  • I was nominated and applied for the Teacher Award in the past. Can I receive a copy of my past application(s)?
    • Yes. Contact info@IowaSTEM.org for a copy of Iowa STEM Teacher Award application(s) that have been submitted in the past. Previous awardees are not eligible.
  • If I have more questions, who should I contact?
    • For questions about the award or the nomination and application process, contact info@IowaSTEM.org