Call for Nominations

The OC STEM Initiative in partnership with Cox Communications wants to identify and honor STEM educators who are exemplars of best practice in the delivery of inquiry-based STEM learning opportunities. These practitioners stand out for their ability to engage, motivate and inspire learners and will be recognized for their unique contributions to STEM Education and the Orange County community. Each awardee will receive a gift of $500 and be honored at a ceremony in May. Additionally, a $1,500 grant will be awarded to their respective organizations to support STEM activities.

Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:

• Outstanding Early Childhood Educator
  Educators and practitioners working in preschools, family child-care programs and child-care centers with a focus on early childhood STEM enrichment activities and/or programs
• Outstanding Expanded Learning STEM Educator
  Educators and practitioners working in after-school programs, camps, community centers, museums, parks with a focus on STEM enrichment activities and/or programs
• Outstanding K-12 STEM Educator
  Educators must be a credentialed PreK-12 teacher working in a public elementary, middle, or high school with a focus on STEM
• Outstanding Post-Secondary STEM Educator
  Faculty and instructors teaching in a STEM discipline at a 2 or 4 year college/university.
• Outstanding Career Awareness STEM Educator
  Educators and practitioners in Career Technical, Vocational, Workforce Development, Apprenticeship, Internship or Pathway Programs
• Outstanding Leadership in STEM Education
  Principals, School Administrators, Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) with a focus on developing and leading STEM educators, programs and initiatives.
• Outstanding Community Advocate in STEM Education
  Educators and practitioners working in community-based organizations, programs and/or initiatives that focus on increasing access to STEM education and broadening participation of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.
• Innovation in Virtual STEM Instruction/Programming
  Educators and practitioners demonstrating innovative use of digital platforms and technologies to deliver virtual STEM instruction/experiences.

Please complete and submit this form by Monday, April 1st. Each nominator will be asked to provide the contact information of someone in the community that can speak to the nominee’s unique qualifications and complete a recommendation form. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Leyla Riley at: leyla.riley@uci.edu