STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual awards program, which highlights classroom teachers at multiple levels, campus/district leadership, and nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today for a 2026 STAT Statewide Award. The nominations deadline is August 31.
STAT will present the following 2026 awards:
National Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 4–8, but the impact of Texas science educators lasts far beyond one week. Every investigation you guide, every question you encourage, every "aha" moment you help students reach—it matters.
To celebrate you, the CAST26 Teacher Appreciation Pre-Sale is now open. From May 4–31, you can register for CAST26, November 12–14 in Houston, for just $255. Register now and save.
Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.
The 2025 STAT Statewide Award recipients are:
STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual awards program, which highlights classroom teachers at multiple levels, campus/district leadership, and nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today for a 2025 STAT Statewide Award. The nominations deadline is August 31.
STAT will present the following 2025 awards:
STAT mourns the loss and honors the legacy of Virginia Elizabeth Sturdivant Woods, who passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, at the age of 97.
Throughout her career, Virginia served Texas students and educators in countless ways. She taught high school chemistry, physics, and biology in Clarksville, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, and Austin; served as a chemistry instructor at Dallas Baptist College; and was science coordinator for Round Rock ISD for 7 years. She then served as Executive Secretary of STAT for 15 years, guiding the organization through years of growth and transition before retiring to care for her sister.
Are the Revised Science TEKS leaving you with more questions than answers? You're not alone—this course is here to help.
STAT is thrilled to partner with TCEA to introduce a brand-new online course—The Three Dimensions of the Science TEKS—a self-paced professional learning opportunity designed with Texas science educators in mind.
Congratulations to the newly elected 2025–2026 STAT Executive Board members. These leaders will join continuing 2025–2026 Executive Board members in service to STAT beginning June 1, 2025.
The Executive Board is STAT's governing body that sets policy and makes decisions on behalf of the membership by providing general oversight over STAT's activities. The officers and at-large board members are voting members of the Board.
Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.
The 2024 STAT Statewide Award recipients are:
STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual awards program, which highlights classroom teachers at multiple levels, campus/district leadership, and nontraditional/informal leaders whose work supports science teachers. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today for a 2024 STAT Statewide Award. The nominations deadline is August 31.
STAT will present the following 2024 awards:
It's time to connect with new ideas, innovative teaching strategies and resources, and science educators from all corners of Texas. Early bird registration and housing for the 2024 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, are now open. Register today to experience the energy of CAST24 this November 14–16 in San Antonio and save up to $85.
Watch your inbox for more information about the countless opportunities to build connections at CAST24, including the announcement of this year's keynote speaker, educational sessions, and more.
Congratulations to the newly elected 2024–2025 STAT Executive Board members. These leaders will join continuing 2024–2025 Executive Board members in service to STAT beginning June 1, 2024.
The Executive Board is STAT's governing body that sets policy and makes decisions on behalf of the membership by providing general oversight over STAT's activities. The officers and at-large board members are voting members of the Board.
The STAT Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Devorah Jakubowsky, CAE, as the new STAT Executive Director, continuing our successful partnership with Strategic Association Management (SAM).
With more than 2 decades of experience in association management and having served as the STAT Deputy Director for the past year, Devorah brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her exceptional leadership within STAT, coupled with her deep understanding of the organization's mission, vision, and values, marks an exciting chapter for both STAT and the Texas science education community. As Executive Director, Jakubowsky will guide the strategic direction of the organization in close collaboration with the STAT Executive Board, ensuring continued success.
STAT is thrilled to announce Kiki Corry, STAT 2023–2024 Past President, was named the 2023 Children in Nature Individual Legacy Champion! The Texas Children in Nature Children in Nature Champion Awards recognize individuals, like Kiki, who have had a significant impact in Texas in improving children’s connection with and access to nature.
Congratulations, Kiki!
STAT is proud to honor Donald Burken, a longtime STAT member and volunteer leader, with the Virginia Woods Award for Exceptional Contributions and Leadership in Science Education. The award is the highest award STAT can bestow upon a member for contributions to science education.
Donald, who recently retired from Spring Branch ISD, received the award last month at the 2023 Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT, in Houston.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is set to approve instructional materials and resources to support the new science TEKS this week. The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) leadership is concerned about the SBOE actions taken earlier this week that preliminarily rejected many instructional materials and resources that were reviewed and vetted by both by the TEA process and the Texas Resource Review (TRR). Rejection of these vetted items could make it difficult to for Texas schools, teachers, and students to meet the learning objectives in the new TEKS.
Prior to the final vote, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Friday morning, STAT is asking the SBOE to consider the following points:
Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.
The 2023 STAT Statewide Award recipients are:
Each year, STAT is proud to recognize excellence in and dedication to the field of science education through its annual award program. A committee of STAT members reviews all applications and selects award recipients to be recognized during the annual Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST), presented by STAT.
Nominations for the 2023 STAT Statewide Awards are now open. Nominate a peer, a colleague, or yourself today! Nominations and self-nominations will be accepted until August 31. All nominees will receive additional information, including an invitation to apply, which must be completed by September 14. Learn more about the award types and requirements here, and then submit a nomination today.
H-E-B announced statewide award recipients of the 21st annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards on Sunday, April 30. Recipients included Katie Doyle, Oceans Program teacher at Flour Bluff Intermediate School, who was named the STAT 2022 Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher of the Year this past fall. Doyle was recognized in H-E-B's Rising Star Category, which honors recipients with a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their school.
In total, $430,000 in cash awards and grants were awarded to eight educators, two school districts, one early childhood school and a public-school board for being among the best in Texas.
STAT is proud to congratulate the excellent Texas educators recognized by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) as recipients of its 2023 NSTA Awards program. In fact, STAT is thrilled to share that George Hademenos, 2016–2017 STAT President and physics teacher in Richardson ISD, has been named recipient of the 2023 NSTA/Northrup Grumman Excellence in Engineering Education Award.
Additional Texas educators recognized include recipients of the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge:
Work Group E met for a series of virtual meetings between January and March 2021 to make recommendations to revise the TEKS for kindergarten through grade 5. TEA is currently collecting feedback on Work Group E Draft Recommendations.
When providing specific comments and recommendations for a work group, please identify the work group in the subject line of the email. For example, in the subject line, please indicate "Science TEKS Review Work Group E Feedback." Please submit comments to TEA at [email protected].
Work Group E draft recommendations are currently available for review and feedback on the Science TEKS Review Work Group Drafts web page.