This award recognises a science educator or secondary school science teacher who has significantly enhanced the understanding and appreciation of science in the wider community, which includes secondary school students.
Criteria
- The nominee must be based principally or residing in the Greater Waikato Region and includes the Bay of Plenty area.
- The award will be based on science curriculum materials, science learning tools, or effective science pedagogy, that have led to outcomes in the science community.
- It is expected that the teacher/educator will have demonstrated the ability to share their skills and knowledge to colleagues through presentations in or outside their educational institute.
- This marks a contribution to the professional development of colleagues. Ability of the science educator to demonstrate a commitment to the encouragement of his/her students to develop the science, technology and communication skills.
- Any cash award contribution must be spent in such a way to further advance science in the Waikato (e.g., paying to bring in an overseas expert, attending an international conference, visiting overseas research organisations, upskilling in a certain area, etc.) and winners must provide a letter to the Trust within 12 months of receipt of the award, detailing how the award was used.
- The awards will be paid to the individual or split equally between members of the team, unless otherwise agreed between the winner and the Hamilton Science Awards Trust
Eligibility
- To be eligible the science education/communication must have contributed significantly in some way to the Greater Waikato region/ Bay of Plenty area.
- The nominee must have performed or directed the work described. (There can be one or two persons as one nomination)
- The nominee must have recognised qualifications relative to the award being sought. A relevant science or education qualification is required.
- The recipient must agree to give a nominated lecture or presentation to a school or general audience, if requested.
- The recipient must be prepared to interact with appropriate news media to publicise the achievements on which the award is based and science in general.
- The winner does not have to be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- Previous runners-up in this award category are encouraged to reapply and may re-submit work already submitted for consideration in past years.
- Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by someone familiar with their work.
- If the educator is being nominated by another party, that party must be confident all eligibility criteria can be met, including the nominee’s willingness to be available for public and media interaction as per the above.
- Self or Nominating Party: I hereby attest that, to the best of my knowledge, the nominee meets all of the eligibility criteria for this award, listed above.