Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award

Pictured above: 2012 winner Dr. Cynthia D. Waters with AMF Chief Executive Officer Dr. Stephen Feldman, left, and Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham. Picture below left: Dr. waters with former NASA astronauts, left to right, Dr. Leroy Chiao, Mike McCulley, Dr. Kathryn Thornton and Jeff Ashby.

The Space Foundation, in conjunction with the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) annually presents the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award to recognize outstanding contributions to creative and innovative use of technology in education by K-12 educators or district-level education personnel.

The award, which is named after Mercury Astronaut Alan Shepard, honors an educator who has demonstrated a commitment to inspiring students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is presented at the National Space Symposium.

The 2012 recipient is Dr. Cynthia D. Waters, director of aviation for The Aviation Academy at T.W. Andrews High School in High Point, N.C. She is an educator, FAA commercial pilot, flight instructor and member of the North Carolina Airport Economic Development Alliance. Waters uses her experience and contacts to provide the Academy's 140 students with career development opportunities in aviation, engineering and aerospace. Read about Water's accomplishments here. See photos of the awards presentation here. See video here.

Recipients

2012 Dr. Cynthia D. Waters
2011 James E. Richmond
2010 Allen V. Robnett
2009 Ricardo V. Soria
2008 Kevin L. Simmons
2007 Luther W. Richardson
2006 Kathy R. Brandon
2005 Ronald F. Dantowitz
2004 Charles Geach
2003 Brian Copes
2002 Thomas F. Hunt, Frank E. Waller
2001 Lori Byrnes