2025 Outstanding STEM Educators

In partnership with Cox Communications, the OC STEM Initiative wants to identify and honor STEM educators who are exemplars of best practices in delivering inquiry-based STEM learning opportunities. These practitioners stand out for their ability to engage, motivate, and inspire learners and will be recognized for their unique contributions to STEM Education and the Orange County community. Each awardee will receive a gift of $500 and be honored at a ceremony in May. Additionally, a $1,500 grant will be awarded to their respective organizations to support STEM activities.

Nominations will be accepted for the following categories:

• Outstanding Early Childhood Educator: Educators and practitioners working in preschools, family child-care programs, and child-care centers with a focus on early childhood STEM enrichment activities and/or programs

• Outstanding Expanded Learning STEM Educator: Educators and practitioners working in after-school programs, camps, community centers, museums, and parks with a focus on STEM enrichment activities and/or programs

• Outstanding K-12 STEM Educator: Educators must be a credentialed PreK-12 teacher working in a public elementary, middle, or high school with a focus on STEM

• Outstanding Post-Secondary STEM Educator: Faculty and instructors teaching in a STEM discipline at a 2- or 4-year college or university.

• Outstanding Career Awareness STEM Educator: Educators and practitioners in Career Technical, Vocational, Workforce Development, Apprenticeship, Internship or Pathway Programs

• Outstanding Leadership in STEM Education: Principals, School Administrators, and Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA) with a focus on developing and leading STEM educators, programs, and initiatives.

• Outstanding Community Advocate in STEM Education: Educators and practitioners working in community-based organizations, programs, and/or initiatives that focus on increasing access to STEM education and broadening the participation of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.

• Innovation in Virtual STEM Instruction/Programming: Educators and practitioners demonstrating innovative use of digital platforms and technologies to deliver virtual STEM instruction/experiences.

Please complete and submit this form by Friday, March 14, 2025. Each nominator will be asked to provide the contact information of someone in the community who can speak to the nominee’s unique qualifications and complete a recommendation form. If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Leyla Riley at: leyla.riley@uci.edu or Holly Steele at hsteele@ocde.us.​