STEM Competitions for K-12 Teachers

Dive into the atom’s core! ORISE wants to see how you bring the dynamic field of nuclear science to life in your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes nuclear science. TWO teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a MacBook Air and a nuclear science kit!

Prizes:

• MacBook Air
• Nuclear Science Kit

Winners announced soon!

Calling all innovative educators! ORISE invites teachers to submit their favorite self-made cross-curricular lesson plans that creatively blend STEM components with other subjects to enrich student learning. Whether you combine math with art, science with literature, history with technology, or something entirely different, this is your chance to share how you connect STEM across disciplines in your classroom. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a lesson plan that includes cross-curricular activities. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive 3D printers and filament for their classroom to help students engage with the latest technology!

Winners:

• Rosalynn M., Lincoln Middle School,
• Ashlie A., School for the Creative and Performing arts at Bluegrass, KY
• Tiarra B., Franklin STEAM Academy, IL

Prizes:

1st place: THREE Prusa MK3 3D Printers with filament

Two Runners-Up: Two Prusa Mini 3D Printers each with filament

Teachers! Are you ready to be back in the classroom? Throughout the month of August, we want to know your dream piece of technology and how you would use it in your classroom.

Winners:

• Amy Haney, Anderson County Schools, TN
• Samantha Poll, Samuel L. Wagner Middle School, ME
• Marlene Prater, Sweetwater Junior High School, TN

Prizes: THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a Kindle Scribe!

Teachers! This weather might be hot, but our social media posts are just getting hotter! Throughout the month of July, we want to know what are ways that you teach your students to be responsible and mindful of how they are using technology in the classroom? 

Winners:

• Amanda Atkins, Copper Ridge Elementary, TN
• Leslie Mohlman, Willowcreek Middle School, UT
• Nicole Murphy, PS81x, NY

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a tech bundle including the Eggspert wireless buzzer system, a Rocketbook with 10 colorful pens, a 22-outlet charging station, a voice amplifier, a laptop stand, 30 pairs of headphones, and a set of 24 doodle boards for their classroom!

Summer is here and as you reflect over your year in the classroom, ORISE wants to see your favorite STEM lesson plan! Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit their favorite STEM lesson plan. Show off your neatest, most fun, or most creative lesson plan – whatever makes it your favorite may also make it our favorite! THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini grants up to $1,500 to buy new equipment and supplies for their classroom that will soon become your favorite things!

Prizes:

• 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
• 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
• 3rd place: $500 mini-grant

Teachers! School may be out, but summer social media contests are just beginning! Throughout the month of June, we want to know about your strategies for teaching digital literacy. 

Winners:

• Natasha Garza, Franklin Middle School, TX
• Liliia Khmarskaia, James M. Bennett High School, MD
• Lisa Wada, Central Middle School, OK

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected teachers will receive a classroom tech accessories kit including a digital camera, green screen, wireless clicker, and 8-player classroom quiz buzzer set!

Teachers! Throughout the month of April, we want to know how you make STEM more accessible to diverse groups of students in your classrooms! 

Winners:

• Beverly Owens, Cleveland Early College High School, NC
• Melinda Riggs, Jacksboro Middle School, TN
• Laurelle Riola-Catbagan, ‘Ele’ele Elementary School, HI

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected teachers will receive an iPad 9 and Apple Pencil!

Teachers! Math is everywhere, and we want to see how you bring math to life in your classroom. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants to you to submit a lesson plan that demonstrates how math can be applied in the real world, highlighting its relevance and importance in everyday life. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes how we use math in the real world. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a math visualization prize bundle for their classroom!

Winners:

• Ashlie Arkwright, School for the Creative and Performing Arts at Bluegrass, KY
• Emily Mcdonald, University High School, TN
• Lora Taylor, Tyner Middle Academy, TN

Math Visualization Prize Bundle:

• Amazon Kindle Scribe Tablet (includes premium pen, power adapter, and denim fabric cover)
• 24 Pack Dry Erase Graph Boards w/Erasers
• 24 Dry Erase Markers
• Hot Glue Gun
• Hot Glue
• Air Dry Clay
• SET – Card Game
• 50 Math-Themed Stickers

Teachers, help shape the future of scientific research by incorporating citizen science into your classroom! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants to see how you incorporate the use of citizen science into your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that includes citizen science. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive a field adventure prize pack!

Winners:

• Cheryl H., Absegami High School, NJ
• Lauren W., Bearden Middle School, TN
• Eddie G., Ohio County High School, KY

Prizes:

• iPad 9 ^th generation
• Fitbit Versa 4
• Citizen Science Field Guide
• Power bank
• Journal
• Pens, Sticky Notes, and Highlighters Kit

Teachers! Step into the future with artificial intelligence and make this New Year your smartest one yet! Throughout the month of January, we want to hear how you appropriately incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your classrooms! This could include AI tools you use to help in your teaching, how your students use AI in your class, or how you teach students about AI. To enter the contest, follow ORISE on social media, fill out this (very short) survey, and comment your answer on the post!

Winners:

• Jennifer H., Red Oak Middle School, TX
• Lauren N., Mililani Uka Elementary School, HI
• Michael T., Warner Arts Magnet Elementary, TN

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected teachers will receive an iPad, iPad accessories (case, screen protector, and Apple Pencil), and a Merge Cube to bring augmented reality into your classroom!

Teachers! The new year is here and it’s time to energize your students! The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) wants to see how you incorporate topics involving energy into your lesson plans. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a STEM lesson plan that incorporates an energy-related concept. THREE teachers who submit lesson plans will be selected to receive mini-grants up to $1,500 to help buy equipment for their classroom!

Winners:

• Allison H., James Lawson High School, TN
• Nicole M., Andersonville Elementary School, TN
• Cheryl H., Absegami High School, NJ

Prizes:

• 1st place: $1,500 mini-grant
• 2nd place: $1,000 mini-grant
• 3rd place: $500 mini-grant

ATTENTION TEACHERS! This December, we want to see your classroom wish list! ORISE wants to hear about the must-have supplies that help you create a welcoming and effective learning environment for your students!

Winners:

• Vincent D., Gresham Middle School, TN
• Amanda G., Ohio County School, KY
• Christine I., Smyrna High School, DE

Prizes:

THREE randomly selected winners will receive the following prizes:

NEW YEAR’S SCHOOL SUPPLY BUNDLE:

• Bluetooth Projector
• Personal Laminator and Laminating Sheets
• PaperMate Flair Pens
• Post-it Notes
• White-Out Correction Tape
• Expo Markers
• Sharpie Highlighters

Calling all teachers! Winter is quickly approaching, and the ORISE wants to see your student-led STEM activity plans that can be completed at home during the holiday breaks. Teachers of any grade level or subject are invited to submit a student-led activity plan that incorporates a hands-on STEM activity! THREE teachers will be awarded an iPad and Raycon Earbuds.

Winners:

• Stacey N., St. Louis Priory School, MO
• Danielle P., Waverly Junior High School, OH
• Annalisa S., Delta Woods Middle School, MO

Prizes include:

• iPad (10th generation) and accessories
• Apple Pencil
• Raycon Earbuds