Applications are closed. Announcement will be made early summer.
CASE Awards Program Statement of Philosophy
CASE believes that the importance of science education cannot be overstated. Given the essential presence of the sciences in understanding the past and planning for the future, science education remains and will increasingly be one of the most important disciplines in education. CASE is committed to recognizing and encouraging excellence in science teaching through the presentation of awards to science educators who have made outstanding contributions in science education in the state and who are poised to continue the momentum of providing high quality, relevant science education into the future.
NOTE: Members of the CASE Board of Directors may not be considered for any award while they serve on the board.
For information on the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, see www.paemst.org.
Administrator Leadership Award
The Administrator Leadership Award honors a school or district administrator who has made a significant contribution to improve and support the quality of science education at their sites and who, through their leadership and service in coaching teachers, expanding access to high quality professional learning, and revamping of policies and procedures has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The Administrator Leadership Award shall require the
following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Two (2) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Second letter of support must be from a
- classroom teacher or leadership position and
- Site or district administrator, informal science educator or other (CASE membership not required)
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Specific examples of service to science education
- Specific examples of leadership in science
- Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
- Specific examples of professional involvement in science
- Completed online Nomination Form which includes the following information:
- Name of nominee
- School or institution address of nominee
- School or office telephone number of nominee
- Home address of nominee
- Home telephone number of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirements for Nominee
- CASE membership NOT REQUIRED
- See award description
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Conference
- 1-year complimentary CASE membership
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration during award year (does not include travel, lodging, meals)
Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award
The Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award honors a teacher instructional coach, teacher on special assignment, or similarly designated role at the district level who has made a significant contribution to improve the quality of science education within their district and who, through their leadership and service in coaching, facilitating, and providing professional learning, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching. This award is named for CASE's former executive director, Jessica Sawko who served as executive director from 2011 through 2019. Under her guidance, CASE dedicated numerous efforts to support teachers in district leadership positions. In 2019, the CASE Board of Directors established the Jessica Sawko Teacher leadership Award to honor her service to promote high-quality science education.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The Jessica Sawko Teacher Leadership Award shall require the following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Three (3) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Two additional letters must be from a
- classroom teacher and
- Site or district administrator, informal science educator or other
- (CASE membership not required)
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Specific examples of service to science education
- Specific examples of leadership in science
- Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
- Specific examples of professional involvement in science
- Completed online Nomination Form which includes the following information:
- Name of nominee
- School or institution address of nominee
- School or office telephone number of nominee
- Home address of nominee
- Home telephone number of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirements for Nominee
- CASE membership NOT REQUIRED
- See award description
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Conference
- 1-year complimentary CASE membership
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration during award year (does not include travel, lodging, meals)
Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award
The Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to science education in the state and who, through years of leadership and service, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The Margaret Nicholson Distinguished Service Award shall require the following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Three (3) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Two additional letters must be provided by individuals who work for or are affiliated with science organizations or institutions and are not exclusively sourced from a single organization. (CASE membership not required)
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Specific examples of service to science education
- Specific examples of leadership in science
- Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
- Specific examples of professional involvement in science
- Longevity of contributions and participation in science education and CASE
- Completed online Nomination Form which includes the following information:
- Name of nominee
- School or institution address of nominee
- School or office telephone number of nominee
- Home address of nominee
- Home telephone number of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirements for Nominee
- CASE membership NOT REQUIRED
- See award description
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Conference
- Complimentary Lifetime CASE membership
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration during award year (does not include travel, lodging, meals)
CASE Teacher of the Year Award
The CASE Teacher of the Year awards recognizes ongoing excellence in the teaching of science and a commitment to the improvement of science education at any level (Primary through Post-Secondary). Awardees will be selected based on their ability to motivate student achievement and excitement in science, community and administrative support, and overall contributions to the profession. No more than one awardee per grade level will be awarded in any year.
- Primary (K-2) Teacher of the Year
- Upper Elementary (3-5) Teacher of the Year
- Middle School/Jr High Teacher of the Year
- High School Teacher of the Year
- Post Secondary Teacher of the Year
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The Teacher of the Year Award shall require the following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Two (2) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Second letter from a school administrator, classroom teacher and/or peer (CASE membership not required)
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Specific examples of service to teaching science education
- Specific examples of motivating student achievement in science education
- Specific examples of commitment to excellence in their profession
- Specific examples of professional involvement in their profession
- Completed online Nomination form which includes the following information:
- Name of nominee
- Nominee grade-level (K-12; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; or post-secondary)
- School or institution address of nominee
- School or office telephone number of nominee
- Home address of nominee
- Home telephone number of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirements for Nominee
- CASE membership NOT REQUIRED
- Must be a current certificated teacher (K-12 or post-secondary)
- Must have at least 4 years of teaching experience in the category for which they are nominated
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Conference
- 1-year complimentary CASE membership
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration during award year (does not include travel, lodging, meals)
CASE Future Science Teacher Award
The CASE Future Science Teacher Award recognizes college students who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to science education through volunteer, teaching, and professional organization activities and who show promise to become outstanding science educators. No more than two Future Science Teacher Awards will be awarded in any year.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
Nominee will receive
The CASE Future Science Teacher Recognition Awards shall require the following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Two (2) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Second letter from a school administrator, classroom teacher and/or peer (CASE membership not required)
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Description of his/her commitment to science education
- Volunteer and/or teaching activities within a school setting
- Volunteer activity in a museum, nature center, or related organization
- Her/his long-term career goals
- Completed online Nomination Form which includes the following information:
- Name of nominee
- School or institution nominee is attending
- School or office telephone number of nominee
- Home address of nominee
- Home telephone number of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirements for Nominee
- CASE membership is NOT required
- Must be a student enrolled in a teacher education program at the time nomination is submitted.
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at the Awards Ceremony held at the fall Annual CASE Conference
- 1-year complimentary CASE membership
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration during award year (does not include travel, lodging and meals)
CASE Distinguished Contributions Award
The CASE Distinguished Contributions Award honors an organization, institution or foundation which has made a sustained, significant impact to science education in the state and which, through years of leadership and service, has truly made a positive impact on the quality of science teaching and learning. No more than two CASE Distinguished Contributions Awards will be given in any year.
Award Criteria/Nomination Requirements
The CASE Distinguished Contributions Award shall require the following:
Requirements for Nominator
- Nominator must have current CASE Membership
- Two (2) letters of support:
- One letter must be from the nominator
- Second letter of support from an individual, organization or institution involved in science education
- Letters of support must address the following:
- Specific examples of service to science education
- Specific examples of commitment to excellence in science education
- Specific examples of professional involvement in science education
- Completed online Nomination form which include the following information
- Name of nominee
- School, institution, or foundation address of nominee
- Telephone number of nominee
- Address of nominee
- Name, address, and phone number of nominating CASE member
Requirement for Nominee
- See award description
Nominee will receive
- Recognition at Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Conference
- 1-year complimentary CASE membership for orgranization representative
- Complimentary Full Conference Registration for organization representative during award year (does not include travel, lodging, meals)
The following Awards below are nominated and bestowed by the Board of Directors
Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award
Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award is named for CASE's former executive director Christine Bertrand. Christine served as CASE's executive director 1996-2011. Under her leadership CASE achieved many advocacy victories for science education. In 2015, the CASE Board of Directors established the Christine Bertrand Advocacy Award to honor her service to science education. The award honors individual(s) who demonstrate a commitment to quality science education in California, going beyond expected levels of involvement. The award recognizes outstanding advocacy and championing of quality science education. Nominated and bestowed by the Board of Directors, no more than two awards will be given per year.
Legislator of the Year Award
Legislator of the Year Award is an award bestowed by the CASE Board of Directors to recognize legislators who have been supportive of high quality science education in California.
Honorary Memberships
Honorary Memberships were established by the board of directors to recognize those individuals who may not be science educators and through their work and efforts contribute to the body of science knowledge and serve to ignite interest in science. Honorary membership is a life time membership and carries with it all the rights of membership except voting rights.
- 1-Year Membership
- $30
- 1-Year Membership ($60 value)
- Enjoy a full year of CASE membership
- New Teacher
- $20
- New Teacher Membership ($35 value)
- For teachers in their 1st or 2nd year of Teaching
- Retired Teacher
- $20
- Retired Teacher Membership ($40 value)
- Thank you for your service and continued support!
- Preservice Teacher
- $10
- Preservice Teacher ($35 value)
- Preservice - Available only to undergraduate and credential students.