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This year the Prime Minister’s Awards (PMA) for Teaching Excellence now features a new Space Award. One Certificate of Excellence will be offered to a teacher (or teaching team) who has demonstrated outstanding innovative and creative teaching in the areas of space sciences, technology, engineering and/or mathematics in a K-12 setting.
The PMA’s honour outstanding and innovative elementary and secondary school teachers in all disciplines who instill in their students a love of learning and who utilize information and communications technology to better equip their students with the skills needed to meet the challenges of a 21st century society and economy.
The Space Award may be given for either a special project or for ongoing work in space sciences, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) areas. While the focus of this award is on STEM, consideration will be given to teachers in all disciplines who have inspired students about the wonders and possibilities of space. The winner of this award will receive special recognition in addition to the PMA certificate, including all expenses paid participation in the annual Space Educator Conference organized by the Canadian Space Agency. Candidates must meet all of the selection criteria for the Prime Minister’s Award. If you wish to be considered for the Space Award, please indicate on the nomination form in the specified section.
Financial awards for the Certificates of Excellence are shared evenly between the recipient and the recipient’s school or teaching institution to be spent under the recipient’s direction. If a winning teacher changes schools, financial awards (school portion) go to the school at which the recipient was teaching at the time of nomination. Financial awards for the Certificates of Achievement are sent directly to recipients.
Award funds may be used for professional development, equipment such as computers, software, and audio-visual and laboratory equipment, resource materials, website development, teaching aids, or other tools to improve teaching and student learning. For recipients of the Certificate of Excellence, a portion of the school’s award funds (up to 50%) may be used to cover teacher replacement costs while the recipient is attending the national awards ceremony, traditionally held in Ottawa. Nominations close November 30th.
