GSTA Teacher of the Year

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 – Additional Biographical Information / Professional Organizations.  Professional organizations may also include civic organizations.  State the organization’s name, offices held, membership dates, and honors received.  Describe how the organization has helped you improve your expertise as a teacher.  Limit – 2 pages, single-spaced. 12-point type.

• Section 3 – Lesson/Unit Plan.  The submission should be from a lesson or unit that you have taught and that reflects your educational philosophy based on the grade level appropriate Georgia Standards of Excellence.  Lesson or unit plans should be teacher generated and illustrate how you utilize effective science practices to meet the diverse needs of the students in your class.  Components you may choose to include are: GSE standards addressed, assessment opportunities, instructional techniques, hands-on or laboratory experiences, and differentiation techniques.  

• Section 4 –Educational Philosophy.  Describe how the lesson/unit plan you submitted reflects your educational philosophy.  Provide a reflection based on your experience teaching the lesson/unit.  The reflection should include both the successes and challenges you experienced with students.  Additionally you may wish to include how your educational philosophy impacts your current teaching assignment.  Limit – 3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12-point type. Photographs may be included in this section.  Please Note that pictures are limited to no more than 3 pictures.

• Section 5 – Resume & Professional Activities.  This section may include attendance at professional conferences and presentations made.  Limit – 2 pages single-spaced, 12-point type.

• Section 6 – Include one photo of yourself.  This photo will be used for publicity should you be selected as the GSTA TOTY.

• Section 7 – Three (3) supporting letters from an administrator, a past student or parent, and a peer teacher.  One of these letters may come from the nominator and be so designated.  Letters of support are limited to one single spaced, typed page.

• Award Evaluation Rubrics

GSTA Teacher of Promise

This is an award to recognize a teacher early in his/her career who shows promise to be an outstanding science teacher.  Please indicate in what capacity you are familiar with the nominee; how long you have known him/her; and the specific qualities you are aware of that make this person a “teacher of promise”.  In your responses, please cite specific evidences of the qualities you mention.  Each letter of support is limited to ONE typewritten page.

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 – Resume or Academic Vita.  Please include membership in professional organizations, offices held, attendance at professional conferences, and presentations made in addition to academic qualifications and employment history. 

• Section 3 – Leadership Philosophy.  Describe how you, in your current administrator assignment, incorporate new ideas and concepts; integrate related disciplines; promote leadership within your school; and promote educational excellence in your school and community.  Limit – 2 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type.

• Section 4 –Responses to the following items.  They are to be sequenced in the order they appear and identified by number and a shortened version of the response statement (e.g. I.  Describe the major challenge).  Limit – 4 double spaced pages.

• Section 5 – Submit a photo of yourself to be used for publicity purposes should you be selected as the GSTA Science Administrator of the Year

• Section 6 – Three (3) supporting letters from an administrator colleague, a past student or parent, and a teacher or staff member.  One of these letters must come from the nominator and be so designated.  Letters of support are limited to one single spaced, typed page.

GSTA Mini-Grants

Mini-grants are designed to fund creative class projects.  GSTA provides up to $750.00 per project award.  Teachers who need funding for special classroom projects are encouraged to apply for mini-grants.  Recipients of mini-grants are asked to complete the project during the year and submit a brief report.

Application Requirements for Mini-Grants

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 – Project title and a brief but concise description of your plan or idea.  Explain how you will carry it out and why you feel it is a worthwhile project.  Include how the project will contribute to the scientific literacy of your students, colleagues, or school and/or enhance your ability to teach with the Georgia Standards of Excellence.  Limit 2-4 pages, double-spaced, 12 point type.

• Section 3 – A budget.  GSTA can grant up to $750.00 per project.  If you need more funding, you may wish to seek additional funds from other sources.

• Section 4 – Submit a photo of yourself to be used for publicity purposes should you be selected as a GSTA Mini-Grant winner.

• Section 5 – Two letters of support, one from a supervisor, and another letter from either your GSTA district representative or a colleague familiar with your work.

• Award Evaluation Rubrics

ScienceQuest Teacher Scholarship

The ScienceQuest Teacher Scholarships consist of monetary awards for teachers to use in continuing their education/experiences through summer programs.  The amount of the award (up to $2000.00) will depend on the cost of the program and the merit of the application.      

Applicants should have a minimum of five years of teaching experience in grades K-12 or at the college/university level and currently are teaching in Georgia schools.  Board members of GSTA or the GSTE Foundation are ineligible for the scholarships.  Scholarships will not be awarded to the same recipients for two consecutive years.

Application Components for ScienceQuest Scholarship

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 – Description of the program being applied for including location and dates. Cost of the program to the participant, including travel.  Indicate if other funding has been applied for and/or will be received.

• Section 3 – Discuss the following:

1. How will this program help you in addressing student or professional needs?
2. How will the completion of the program be verified? (Registration, attendance verification by instructor, director, etc.)
3. How will you demonstrate competencies gained in this program?  Who will conduct on-the-job assessment? (Instructor, consultant, director, etc)

• Section 4 – Submit a photo of yourself to be used for publicity purposes should you be selected as the GSTA  ScienceQuest Scholarship recipient. 

• Section 5 – Two letters of recommendation from the teacher’s principal (or dean) and a colleague.

• Award Evaluation Rubrics

GSTEF Conference Grant

The Georgia Science Teachers Foundation Conference Grant consists of up to $750.00 for teachers to use in continuing their education through attendance at state, regional, or national professional science conferences. Applicants should be Georgia educators currently teaching in grades K-12 or at the college/university level. Board members of GSTA or the GSTE Foundation are ineligible for these awards. Grants will not be given to the same recipient for two consecutive years.

Application Components for GSTEF Conference Grant

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 – Leadership Philosophy. Describe how you, in your current teaching assignment, incorporate new ideas and concepts; integrate related disciplines; promote leadership within your school; and promote educational excellence in your school and community. Limit – 2 pages, single-spaced, 12-point type.

• Section 3 – Responses to the following items. They are to be sequenced in the order they appear and identified by number and a shortened version of the response statement. Limit – 4 double spaced pages.

1. What actions have you taken to improve science education in your school?
2. Describe a recent science lesson that you observed and reflected your view of science instruction.

• Section 4 – Resume or Academic Vita. Please include membership in professional organizations, offices held, attendance at professional conferences, and presentations made in addition to academic qualifications and employment history.

• Section 5 – Submit a photo of yourself to be used for publicity purposes should you be selected as the GSTA Conference Grant recipient.

• Section 6 – Three (3) supporting letters from an administrator colleague, a past student or parent, and a teacher or staff member. One of these letters must come from the nominator and be so designated. Letters of support are limited to one single spaced, typed page.

• Award Evaluation Rubrics

Science Adventure Student Scholarship

Science Adventure Student Scholarships consist of monetary award for students to use in continuing their education/experiences through educational programs. The amount of the award (up to $2000) will depend on the cost of the program and the merit of the application.

Application Components for GSTEF Scholarship

Applicants should be in grades 6-12 or at the college/university level in Georgia schools. Students may apply individually or as a group with a common goal. Applications can be student or teacher initiated. Board members of GSTA and the GSTE Foundation are ineligible. All entries must be typed and submitted in triplicate and included the following:

• Section 1 – Complete Part 1 of the on-line awards application registration process.

• Section 2 - Description of the program being applied for including location and dates.

• Section 3 - Cost of the program to the participant, including travel. Indicate if other funding has been applied for and /or will be received.

• Section 4 - An explanation stating why you want to attend this program.

• Section 5 - Plans outlining how you would share your experiences when you return.

• Section 6 - Two letters of recommendation from the sponsor/teacher and the principal or dean.

• Award Evaluation Rubrics