NSTA Opens 2011 Technology Competition
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Vernier Software and Technology have opened their 2011 technology award program. Each year, the Vernier & NSTA Technology Award program awards cash, technology, and travel funds for science teachers who demonstrate innovation in inquiry-based learning activities involving data collection. Vernier is a manufacturer of instruments and software designed for scientific data collection.
This year's competition will award up to seven prizes to K-12 and post-secondary educators (one elementary, two middle school, three high school, and one post-secondary educator). The prizes, valued at $3,000, include $1,000 cash, $1,000 in Vernier equipment, and $1,000 for travel expenses put toward attending the NSTA National Conference.
"The goal of this awards program is to encourage today's teachers and students to think of innovative uses of science technology in the laboratory or in the field. If we can get teachers to encourage more hands-on experiments for students, then we can hook students on science at a younger age and get them thinking about careers in STEM," said David Vernier, co-founder of Vernier, in a prepared statement. "Vernier can help these pioneering educators share their innovative teaching practices with many more individuals through this grants program."
According to Vernier, successful applicants will enter projects involving hands-on, inquiry-based learning and data collection using computers and handheld devices, such as Vernier LabQuest.
Entries are due Nov. 30. They will be judged by an NSTA-appointed panel of judges.
Further information about the competition, including requirements and an online application, as well as details on past winners, can be found here.