Apply Now for Educator Award

Educators who have demonstrated a commitment to inspiring students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) may apply now to receive the 2011 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. Given annually by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Space Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding contributions to technology education by K-12 educators or district-level education personnel.

The Space Foundation will present the award, which is named after Mercury Astronaut Alan Shepard, on April 11 at the Opening Ceremony of the Space Foundation’s 27th National Space Symposium at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Application information is available at www.astronautsmemorialfoundation.org. Submissions for the 2011 award must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2011. The winner will be announced on March 4, 2011.

About the Award
Alan Shepard, one of the nation’s original seven Mercury astronauts, was the first American to fly in space, one of only 12 humans who have walked on the moon and a former AMF board member. The award named after him recognizes excellence, quality and innovation in the development and application of technology in the classroom or to the professional development of teachers.

Allen V. Robnett, a science teacher at Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tenn., was named the 2010 recipient for his work developing two innovative high-school-level courses that used compelling subjects and hands-on experiences to motivate students to build their science, math and technology skills. His Astronomy and Space Exploration class features an in-school planetarium and a rooftop observatory, and his Aviation Theory and Practice class provides actual textbook and simulator pilot training.

About the 27th National Space Symposium
The 27th National Space Symposium, the premier gathering of the global space community, will be held April 11-14, 2011, at The Broadmoor Hotel, and will offer workshops, forums, panels, and presentations covering all aspects of space, including programs targeted specifically at educators and students. The Opening Ceremony will feature presentation of the Shepard Award as well as the Space Foundation’s Space Achievement Award and John L. “Jack” Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration.

Pictured: Allen V. Robnett, a science teacher at Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tenn., winner of the 2010 Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award, delivers his acceptance speech at the 26th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo.

This article is part of Space Watch: September 2010 (Volume: 9, Issue: 9).