updated on August 25, 2010

THE EMMA WALTON DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Presented by the ALASKA SCIENCE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Previous Awardees

2007 - Cheryl Cooper

2008 - Elena Sparrow

2009 - Ted Munsch

This award is named after Dr. Emma Walton who has been and continues to be a strong advocate and champion of science education K–College at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Emma Walton is an Alaskan educator with expertise in science teaching, science materials and professional development. She taught for 10 years, served as a science supervisor for 19 years for the Anchorage School District and spent four years as a program director at the National Science Foundation. Upon retirement, she was elected NSTA President. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska, served on the Board of ASTA and has been involved with the GLOBE program and related activities.

Her most recent work has included consulting on a CD Rom project titled, Arctic Connections, serving as the evaluator to a project titled, Rural Access to Technical Education and serving as the evaluator to a project titled, Development of an Alaska Earth Systems Field School. Presently she is working with the NASA Explorer Schools program in Alaska, working with an NSF project titled, MapTeach & working with an NSF project titled, Improved Online STEM Instruction for Rural Alaskan Native Students.

GUIDELINES

The Alaska Science Teachers Association annually awards one citation for distinguished service in the field of science education.  ASTA members are invited to share in the selection process by sending nominations of Alaska educators to ASTA for review by the Awards and Recognition Committee.

The award is designed to recognize Alaska educators who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of science education in the sciences and science teaching.  Each award consists of up to $500 to travel to the biannual Alaska Math/Science Conference, where a formal citation and a suitable token of appreciation for the outstanding service rendered by the recipient will be given.

ASTA Awards and Recognitions Committee Checklist

Excellence of contribution to science education in Alaska is the main criterion for selection of the recipients.  Among the types of outstanding services that are considered by the committee are:

1. Unique or extraordinary accomplishments in science teaching
2. Active leadership in science and/or science education.

_______ Local level
_______ State level
_______ National level

1. Noteworthy scholarly contributions to science education at any level.
2. Focusing of public attention and the need for improvement and better support of science education.
3. Direct and substantial contributions to the improvement of science education at any level.
4. Contributions over a significant period of time.
5. Overall excellence of contributions.

For the 2010 award, this packet should be received no later than October 1, 2010.  The winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award will be notified by December 1, 2010.

The 2010 application can be downloaded here and is due by October 1,2010