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. 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.


NABT Honorary Members

2009 NABT Award Recipients
2009 OBTA Honorees
2010 NABT Award Recipients
2010 OBTA Honorees
2011 NABT Award Recipients
2011 OBTA Honorees
2012 NABT Award Recipients
2012 OBTA Honorees

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 or two year college students who has been accepted to a two or four year college/university. In addition to the textbook scholarship, an award plaque will be presented to the student in May. This is a great way to recognize that exceptional student that inspires you to be an even better biology teacher. Please see the NABT BioClub for complete information. The application deadline is March 31, 2013.

Biology Educator Leadership Scholarship (BELS)
The Biology Educator Leadership Scholarship (BELS) program was established to encourage and support teachers who want to further their education in the life sciences or life science education. The award recipient is required to be a practicing educator who is also enrolled (or anticipates enrolling) in a graduate program at Masters or Doctoral level. NABT members with less than or equal to ten years of teaching experience are eligible. The BELS program is sponsored by NABT Members and PASCO scientific and includes a $5000 tuition assistance award, a plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

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 send (1) a written description of the candidate's qualifications and (2) a detailed biographical summary to office@nabt.org. Nominations are due by March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

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 NABT 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 one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

Evolution Education Award
The Evolution Education Award, sponsored by BSCS, BEACON, and NESCent, recognizes innovative classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the accurate understanding of biological evolution. The award includes a combined $1,500 cash prize ($500 from each sponsor), a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

Four-Year College & University Section Biology Teaching Award
This award, sponsored by NABT’s Four-Year College & University Section and Pearson, recognizes creativity and innovation in undergraduate biology teaching. These innovations may include, but are not limited to, curriculum design, teaching strategies, and laboratory utilization; they must have been implemented and demonstrated to be effective. Additionally, award winners will agree to present their work during the Undergraduate Faculty Professional Development Summit at the NABT Conference. The award is open to NABT members and includes a $1,000 honorarium, recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is June 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

Four-Year College & University Section Research in Biology Education Award
This award, sponsored by NABT’s Four-Year College & University Section, Pearson, and Leica Microsystems, recognizes creativity and innovation in research that furthers our understanding of undergraduate biology teaching and education. These innovations may include, but are not limited to, scholarship and research in biology education. Additionally, award winners will agree to present their work during the NABT Research Symposium at the NABT Conference. The award is open to NABT members and includes a $500 honorarium, microscope, recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is June 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

Honorary Membership
NABT recognizes individuals who have "achieved distinction in teaching, research, or service in the biological sciences" for nomination 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 initial nomination, (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, 2013. Online Nomination Form

The Kim Foglia AP Biology Service Award
The Kim Foglia AP Biology Service Award recognizes an AP Biology teacher who displays a willingness to share materials, serves as a mentor to both students and professional colleagues, creates an innovative and student centered classroom environment, and exemplifies a personal philosophy that encourages professional growth as an AP biology teacher and member of that community. Sponsored by Pearson and NABT, the Kim Foglia AP Biology Service Award includes a $1000 honorarium, a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

Outstanding Biology Teacher Award
Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12 only) 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 of 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 special guests at the Honors Luncheon held at the NABT Professional Development Conference, receive microscopes from Leica Microsystems, gift certificates from Carolina Biological Supply Company, and award certificates and complimentary one-year membership from NABT.

The nomination deadlines and criteria vary by state. Please contact your state OBTA Director for more information. Online Nomination Form

Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award
This award sponsored, by Ken-A-Vision and NABT, recognizes outstanding teaching (grades 7-12 only) 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. The award includes a microscope, recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

The Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award
The Ron Mardigian Biotechnology Teaching Award, sponsored by Bio-Rad Laboratories, recognizes a teacher who demonstrates outstanding and creative teaching of biotechnology in the classroom. The award is given to secondary school teachers in even numbered years, college/university instructors in odd numbered years. The award may be given for either a short-term series of activities or a long-term integration of biotechnology into the curriculum. The lessons must include active laboratory work and encompass major principles as well as processes of 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 includes a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, one year of complimentary membership to NABT and $1500 (up to $500 toward travel to the NABT Professional Development Conference and $1000 in Bio-Rad materials). The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form

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 a $1,000 honorarium, a recognition plaque to be presented at the NABT Professional Development Conference, and one year of complimentary membership to NABT. The application deadline is March 15, 2013. Online Nomination Form