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 and effective classroom teaching and community education efforts to promote the accurate understanding of biological evolution.

Purpose of the Award

• To recognize outstanding teaching of biological evolution in classroom, community and professional outreach settings.

• To encourage all teachers to develop outstanding and original programs and techniques to improve students’ and the public’s understanding of biological evolution and its relevance in their lives.

Who is Eligible

All K-16 science educators who include life science lessons/units in their current classroom teaching are eligible to receive this award. Teachers from private, public and parochial schools may apply. NABT membership is not a requirement for selection. Unsuccessful candidates may be renominated from year to year, but selected recipients may not receive the award more than one time.

Judging Criteria

• Demonstration of innovative teaching ability which helps students and the local community to understand biological evolution and the impact of evolutionary insights on society.

• Usability and innovativeness of investigative, student-centered, original teaching materials and resources used by applicant to address the subject of evolution.

• Level of participation in community and professional education, outreach and dissemination on the subject.

• Philosophy of evolution education consistent with NABT and other mainstream professional scientific and educational organizations.

Application Procedures

Nominees must submit an original completed application package and four (4) copies by May 1, 2009, which includes the following materials:

• Completed Candidate’s Record Form

• Four (4) letters of recommendation from individuals uniquely qualified to evaluate the candidate’s teaching effectiveness, professional and community educational outreach, and relationship with his/her students. These individuals must include one student, one administrator, one teacher colleague, and one parent/- community member.

• Three-page essay (typed, double spaced) covering the candidate’s:

  1. Philosophy of evolution education in the classroom and community

  2. Description of the social and educational climate that may impact the teaching of evolution in which the applicant lives and works.

  3. Challenges and successes in promoting the understanding of biological evolution among students and members of the community.

• Samples of three (3) innovative instructional materials currently used by applicant in their classroom or community education efforts.

• A syllabus showing how the biology course or evolution unit is organized in the classroom.

Note: Teacher applicant may also include any materials that document accomplishments in the classroom and community (e.g. newspaper clippings, reports, copies or situation of articles published, papers presented).

Award

The award recipient will receive a recognition plaque, a combined $1000 cash prize from AIBS and BSCS, and a complimentary year’s membership in NABT.

Sponsored by AIBS and BSCS