The annual GSTA Awards and Grants recognize excellence and innovation in Georgia science education and serves to raise awareness and exposure of the outstanding work being done in our state.
A distinguished panel of professional science educators will review applications and select the winners. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be current GSTA members and all work must be current and cumulative, as applicable.
GSTA Awards and Grants recipients will be honored during an awards ceremony to be held in February.
The GSTA Awards Program is supported by member donations, the Georgia Science Teachers Education Foundation, and generous sponsors. GSTA Awards and Grants help support the science educators and their science educational programs, professional development and proactive efforts in the science education field.
For more information contact Dr. Nicole Page, the Awards Chair, or Justin Harvey, the Foundation Chair.
Click on an award below to learn more and apply.
GSTA has changed the timeline for our District Mini-Grants. You can now apply this spring to receive your funds in July! We will be awarding two mini grants per GSTA district. Mini-Grant applications are due by June 3, 2022.
District mini-grants are designed to fund creative class projects. GSTA provides $300.00 per project award. Teachers who need funding for special classroom projects are encouraged to apply for mini-grants. Recipients of these district mini-grants are asked to complete the project during the 2022-2023 school year and submit a brief article for submission to communications@georgiascienceteacher.org for the eObservations/social media by January 31, 2023.
Application Requirements for District Mini-Grants
The Science Teacher of the Year (TOTY) awards recognizes ongoing excellence in the teaching of science and commitment to its improvement. GSTA’s TOTY is available for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. A college science teacher of the year is also recognized at the state level. State TOTY awards for each instructional level include checks for $1500.00.
Any professionally certified teacher with four or more years experience may be nominated by a supervisor or peer, for one of these awards. Recipients of the TOTY award are expected to make a presentation at the annual GSTA conference or submit an article for the GSTA Newsletter. A complimentary registration to the annual GSTA conference will be provided to all TOTY award winners.
Application Components for TOTY
The Teacher of Promise (TOP) award recognizes science teachers with one, two, or three years of teaching experience that show exceptional promise. Sponsored by GSTA, Teachers of Promise are recognized at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Each TOP award includes a check for $750.00. Nominations for these awards can be initiated by anyone. A complimentary registration to the annual GSTA conference will be provided to all TOP award winners.
Application Requirements of TOP
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.
The Science Administrator of the Year awards recognizes ongoing excellence in the role of administrator of science education and commitment to its improvement. This award was created to recognize a school administrator (Principal, Assistant/Associate Principal, etc.) who acts as a champion for science education and science educators! One administrator will be recognized at the state level as the Administrator of the Year. A complimentary registration to the annual GSTA conference will be provided to the winner.
Application Components for AOTY
Project 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 grants. Recipients of grants are asked to complete the project during the year and submit a brief report.
Application Requirements for Grants
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 ScholarshipThe 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
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: