ST. GEORGE — Representatives from the Southern Utah STEM Awards are calling for nominations as they seek to recognize and celebrate educators and businesses dedicated to promoting local science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Award recipients will receive an award for their classrooms, a stipend for classroom supplies, a membership to the Utah Science Teachers Association, and a swag bag with items from the four sponsoring institutions and local community partners.
Through a collaboration of Utah Tech University, Southern Utah University, Dixie Technical College, and Southwest Technical College, the awards recognize K-12 STEM teachers who inspire student engagement as well as local businesses actively supporting those initiatives.
“We want to celebrate these accomplishments and say thank you for all the time, resources and effort that goes into creating transformative experiences for our youth,” Jessica Davis, the director of STEM Outreach at Utah Tech, told St. George News.
Davis emphasized the importance of community building and what this program can do to help shape the future of STEM in the area.
“In Southern Utah, we know that community is everything,” she said. “The educators and businesses that are going above and beyond to create innovative STEM experiences for our youth are changing the future landscape of Southern Utah and beyond.
“The students in these classrooms are learning the skills that will allow them to create new STEM businesses, invent new products and provide new opportunities for the next generation right here in Southern Utah.”
A blue sky overhangs the Utah Tech’s Science, Engineering and Technology Building, St. George, Utah, Jan. 9, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News
An elementary and secondary teacher will be awarded in the following categories: Excellence in Science, Excellence in Technology, Excellence in Engineering, and Excellence in Mathematics, Davis said.
“As we look ahead, we are eager to continue this tradition of recognizing excellence in STEM education,” Dylan Kirklin, director of Southern Utah University’s STEM Center for Teaching and Learning, said in a press release. “The collective effort of teachers, professors, instructors and businesses contributes significantly to preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
Educators from public, private and charter schools in Washington, Kane, Iron, San Juan, Garfield, Piute, Beaver, Wayne, Millard, Grand, Sevier and Emery counties are eligible for nomination.
The inaugural awards ceremony was held last year as a collaborative event with Utah Tech University, Southwest Technical College, and Dixie Technical College.
“If someone knows of a teacher or community member who is doing amazing work in the world of STEM education, we ask that they please take a few minutes to nominate them for an award,” Davis said in a press release.
Winners will be announced and awarded at the Southern Utah STEM Awards banquet scheduled for April 24 on the campus of Utah Tech, who will host this year’s ceremony.
“Those who would like to nominate a teacher or business can do so on the form by answering the question, ‘What has the educator done this year to exemplify in teaching the STEM category nominated for?’” Davis said.
Nominations are being accepted until Feb. 29 and can be submitted online at this link.
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