Nation’s Highest Honor for Teachers of STEM and Computer Science
For more than 35 years, TheWhite House Office of Science and Technology has bestowed the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching(PAEMST) upon STEM teachers across the country and in US jurisdictions. More than 5,300 teachers have received PAEMST, the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. Awardees serve as role models for their colleagues and work to inspire their communities. PAEMST awardees receive a trip to Washington, DC, to celebrate their achievements; a certificate signed by the US president; a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF); and the opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues from across the nation. NSF administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. To learn more about eligibility requirements, or to nominate a teacher or apply yourself, visit www.paemst.org.
In April 2019, scientists obtained the first image of a black hole, using Event Horizon Telescope observations of the center of the galaxy M87. The image shows a bright ring formed as light bends in the intense gravity around a black hole. Teachers can capture students’ enthusiasm about black holes by challenging them to solve the standards-aligned math problems provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab.
Twig Science Reporter is a freeweekly science news service for K–6 classrooms created in partnership with Imperial College London to connect science lessons with real-world STEM news and events through high-quality video and other learning resources to pique students’ interest.
Teachers and families across the country are facing a new reality of providing opportunities for students to do science through distance and home learning. To support educators in this endeavor, the National Science Teachers Association is providing free sense-making tasks called Daily Dos designed to engage students in authentic, relevant science learning.