Recognize Excellence: Nominate Your Colleagues for a STAO Award!
Do you know an outstanding science educator or a dedicated STAO member who deserves recognition for their incredible contributions?
Shine a spotlight on their hard work and dedication by nominating them for a STAO award! STAO awards recognize and celebrate excellence across various facets of science education in Ontario and honour the remarkable individuals, groups, and organizations who inspire us all and drive our mission forward. Take a moment to review the award categories and consider nominating a deserving colleague today!
STAO Life Member Award
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The STAO Life Member Award is the most prestigious award awarded to a STAO member. It recognizes their long-term outstanding contributions and service to the organization and acknowledges the dedication, leadership, and positive impact they have had on STAO and its members. CRITERIA: Open to any STAO member who has made outstanding contributions at any or all levels of the organization over a period of 10 years (not necessarily consecutive). Previous winners are not eligible. |
STAO Emeritus Certificate of Recognition
This award is reserved for STAO/APSO members upon retirement and celebrates STAO members who have completed their careers in Science Education
CRITERIA: Open to any STAO Member who has retired from teaching within the last 12 months of the call for nominations. May only be awarded once in a career.
STAO Excellence in Teaching Award - Secondary (in honour of Irwin Talesnick)
This award recognizes excellence in the teaching of secondary science in Ontario. It honours a teacher who has demonstrated exemplary performance as a science teacher in grades 9-12 over the course of a school year or more.
CRITERIA: Open to any secondary teacher (STAO membership not required) of any science subject (biology, chemistry, physics, Earth and space science, environmental science, and/or or general science). Previous winners are not eligible.
STAO Excellence in Teaching Award - Elementary
This award recognizes excellence in the teaching of the elementary Science and Technology curriculum in Ontario. It honours a teacher who has demonstrated exemplary performance as a teacher of Science and Technology in grades K-8 over the course of a school year or more.
CRITERIA: Open to any elementary teacher (STAO membership not required) who teaches science and technology. Previous winners are not eligible.
STAO Leadership In STEM Education Award (formerly the Jack Bell Award for Leadership in Science Education)
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This prestigious award recognizes individuals, schools, groups, or teams who have demonstrated outstanding and innovative leadership in science education in Ontario. Recipients have made direct and substantial contributions to science education at the elementary, secondary, or post-secondary level by demonstrating at least 2 of the following:
The award recognizes innovative leadership that transforms science education practices, inspires others, and demonstrates a sustained commitment to positive change over time. The leadership has resulted in meaningful improvements to science education within Ontario. CRITERIA: Open to any individual, school, group, or team (STAO Membership not required) that has a minimum of 3 years in a position of science leadership or influence in Ontario. |
STAO Merit Award
The STAO Merit Award recognizes an outstanding contribution of a STAO member to a STAO initiative or project. It acknowledges the impact of their contribution on the organization (e.g. reputational, value, resource development, systemic, sustainability, engagement, etc).
CRITERIA: Open to any STAO Member who has contributed significantly to a project or initiative service in the organization. Can be awarded multiple times for different contributions. Contributions being recognized for this award must be uncompensated, with the exception of direct cost reimbursements (e.g., travel, materials) in accordance with STAO’s expense policy.
STAO Appreciation Award
The STAO award of appreciation recognizes contributions to STAO by an individual, group, or organization that directly supports the advancement of STAO’s mission, vision, and values.
CRITERIA: Open to any individual, group, or organization (STAO Membership not required) whose contributions have had a positive impact on the work STAO does. The individual, group, or organization does not need to be a STAO member.
Don Galbraith Preservice Teacher Award of Excellence
The Don Galbraith Pre-Service Teacher Award of Excellence is awarded to Pre-Service Teachers who demonstrate:
- Exceptional commitment and creativity in their science preparation and teaching
- Willingness to try different instructional methods
- Confidence in the classroom
- Skill at researching a topic using a wide variety of available resources and producing high quality curriculum materials
- Interpersonal skills that are common to all effective teachers
CRITERIA: Students must be nominated by their professors/ instructors while enroled in their Preservice program. For more information, preservice students should speak with their professors or instructors.
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