Foster Award to recognize contributions to K-12 STEM education
January 10, 2014
The Office of the Provost is seeking nominations for the new Christian J. Foster Award, which will annually recognize Purdue faculty members' contributions to K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in Indiana. Nominations are due Feb. 21.
The award is named after Christian Foster, the former first gentleman of Purdue. Each year, it will be awarded to one faculty member on any Purdue campus who has made demonstrable contributions to improving STEM teaching and learning in Indiana's K-12 schools.
Notable contributions may include:
* Implementing creative, inquiry-based, technology-infused STEM programs.
* Providing students with developmentally appropriate opportunities to increase an innate interest in STEM fields.
* Investing in either the development of innovative capabilities and educational tools or in significantly scaling proven models and approaches.
* Increasing the number of or types of opportunities for students and teachers to meet positive, real-life individuals in STEM careers, making the fields more accessible.
The award comes with a $2,500 prize and $15,000 in discretionary funds to support the recipient's ongoing work.
Each year, the award's recipient will be announced in April at the Faculty Awards Convocation. This year, the convocation is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on April 24 in the Shively Club in Ross-Ade Stadium.
Nominations must include:
* A summary of not more than three pages of the nominee's career accomplishments in teaching, research and engagement in K-12 education. The summary must include synergies among these three aspects and how the accomplishments have benefited Indiana.
* The nominee's updated curriculum vitae.
* Three letters of support. A nomination letter counts as one of the three letters.