You Recognize Excellent Teaching ... So Do We!

Nominate yourself or a colleague for one or more of the following NABT awards by filling out the online nomination form. You can also emailing a letter stating why the candidate should be selected to NABT at office@nabt.org. The nominee will be sent all the information, application materials, and cover sheets he or she needs to complete to be considered for the award.  Visit 2009 NABT Award Recipients and 2009 OBTA Award Recipients for the complete list of winners.

BioClub Student Award
Outstanding student members of a NABT BioClub are eligible for a textbook scholarship from Carolina Biological Supply Company. One student from each BioClub Chapter can be nominated, with the student being a graduating senior who has been accepted to a two or four year college/university. An award plaque will be given to the student in May and is a great way to recognize that exceptional student that inspires you to be an even better biology teacher. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

Distinguished Service Award
NABT members and friends are invited to nominate outstanding scientists and educators to receive the NABT Distinguished Service Award, established in 1988 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Association. Nominees should be nationally recognized scientists who have made major contributions to biology education through their research, writing, and teaching. Recipients are honored at the NABT Professional Development Conference. In addition to the nomination form, please include (1) a written description of the candidate's qualifications and (2) a detailed biographical summary. The nomination deadline is May 7, 2010.

Ecology/Environmental Science Teaching Award
Sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology, the Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award will be given to a secondary school teacher who has successfully developed and demonstrated an innovative approach in the teaching of ecology/environmental science and has carried his/her commitment to the environment into the community. Vernier's sponsorship of this award includes $1,000 toward travel to the Professional Development Conference, and $500 of Vernier equipment. The recipient also receives a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

Evolution Education Award
The Evolution Education Award, sponsored by The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) and the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), recognizes innovative classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the accurate understanding of biological evolution. The award includes a combined $1,000 cash prize (from AIBS and BSCS), a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

Excellence in Encouraging Equity Award
Sponsored by Ward's Natural Science and NABT's Role and Status of Women in Biology Education Section, the Award for Excellence in Encouraging Equity recognizes efforts by biology educators to encourage, promote and strive for equity in the educational community. The award, which includes a recognition plaque, an honorarium, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership, will be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2010. Online nomination form

Four-Year College & University Biology Research in Teaching Award
This award, sponsored by Leica Microsystems and the Four-Year College & University Section, honors a four-year college faculty member for his/her recent contribution to research on teaching biology at the college level. The work should emphasize practical application rather than theoretical issues and might include, but is not limited to, evaluating a methodology or instructional model, synthesizing prior work to arrive at new conclusions about teaching and learning, or other work that forwards our understanding of how biology is learned or should be taught. The award is open to NABT members only, and includes a Leica microscope, a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and a one-year complementary NABT membership. Nomination deadline is June 1, 2010. Online nomination form

Four-Year College & University Biology Teaching Award
This award, sponsored by Benjamin Cummings and NABT's Four-Year College & University Section, honors a four-year college & university faculty member who demonstrates creativity and innovation in his/her teaching. Such innovation may include, but is not limited to, curriculum design, teaching strategies, and laboratory utilization, and it must have been implemented in the classroom and demonstrated to be effective. The award is open to NABT members only, and the winner receives $1,000, a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one-year complimentary NABT membership. Nomination deadline is June 1, 2010. Online nomination form

Honorary Membership
NABT is seeking individuals who have "achieved distinction in teaching, research, or service in the biological sciences" for recognition as Honorary Members. Those selected become lifetime members of the Association and receive recognition in NABT publications and at the  NABT Professional Development Conference. Nominations may be made by any NABT member and must include, in addition to the form below, (1) a description of the candidate's qualifications, (2) a detailed biographical summary, and (3) supporting letters from at least nine NABT members. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

Outstanding Biology Teacher Award
Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Canada; Puerto Rico; and overseas territories. Candidates for this award do not have to be NABT members, but they must have at least three years public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee's career must have been devoted to the teaching of biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school and community, inventiveness, initiative, and student-teacher relationships. OBTA recipients are honored at a special event during the NABT Professional Development Conference sponsored by Pearson Prentice Hall; microscopes from Leica Microsystems, Inc.; and certificates and a complimentary one-year membership from NABT.

Please contact your state OBTA Director using the list at OBTA Directors for more information.

Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award
This award sponsored by Ken-A-Vision and NABT, recognizes outstanding teaching (grades 7-12) by a "new" biology/life science instructor within his/her first three years of teaching (when nominated) who has developed an original and outstanding program or technique and made a contribution to the profession at the start of his/her career. A recognition plaque is presented to the award winner at the NABT Professional Development Conference, along with a complimentary one-year NABT membership. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

The Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award
The Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award (sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories) recognizes a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college biology instructor who has demonstrates outstanding and creative teaching of biotechnology in the classroom. The Award may be given for either a short-term series of activities or a long integration of biotechnology into the curriculum. The lessons must include active laboratory work and encompass major principles as well as processes of biotechnology. Topics may include any aspect of basic DNA or protein biotechnology or immunology or applied biotechnology in areas such as medical, forensic, plant and environmental biotechnology. Criteria for selection include creativity, scientific accuracy and currency, quality of laboratory practice and safety, ease of replication, benefit to students and potential significance beyond the classroom. The award presented annually at NABT's Professional Development Conference, includes a recognition plaque, a one-year complimentary NABT membership and $1500 (up to $500 toward travel to the NABT Professional Development Conference, $500 in Bio-Rad materials and $500 toward general science supplies). The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.

Two-Year College Biology Teaching Award
Sponsored by NABT's Two-Year College Section and McGraw-Hill, this award recognizes a two-year college biology educator who employs new and creative techniques in his/her classroom teaching. The primary criterion for the award is skill in teaching, although serious consideration will be given to scholarship, usually demonstrated through publications or innovative techniques relating to teaching strategies, curriculum design, or laboratory utilization. Nominees must be current members of NABT, and the award includes $1,000 and a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and a one-year complimentary NABT membership. The nomination deadline is March 15, 2010.