The Delaware Department of Education has named four Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the highest recognition that K-12 STEM teachers can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Finalists’ applications will now move forward to the national level for final selection of the 2024 PAEMST National Awardees.

The 2024 Delaware state finalists are:

• Brittney Campbell, mathematics, Lake Forest South Elementary School, Lake Forest School District
• Karen Eller, science, The Bancroft School, Christina School District
• Kerry Haley, mathematics, Forwood Elementary School, Brandywine School District 
• Carlos Pesquera, mathematics, H. O. Brittingham Elementary School, Cape Henlopen School District

The goal of the PAEMST award program is to exemplify the highest standards of mathematics and science teaching (including technology, engineering and computer science) in addition to honoring individual achievement. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of STEM education.  The award alternates each year between teachers of kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.

Every year each state selects up to three mathematics teachers and three science teachers as state finalists. A national selection committee reviews state finalist applications and selects up to one awardee in each content area for every state. These teachers are recognized for their contributions to teaching and learning and their ability to help students make progress in mathematics and science. As part of the recognition process, the selected national awardees will take part in a weeklong series of networking and professional development activities in Washington, D.C., and receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Find photos of the honorees online here.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Two students will represent Delaware at the 61^st National Youth Science Camp.

Arya Gupta, a junior at Red Clay Consolidated School District’s Charter School of Wilmington, and Kati Li, a senior at Newark Charter School, will attend the camp from June 29 to July 20 in the mountains of West Virgina.

Gupta is the co-founder of International Genetically Engineered Machine Team, which will be competing at the 2024 Grand Jamboree in Paris.  Gupta is the co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Club and a student leader in the Youth Environmental. She also is a member of the Charter School of Wilmington Swim team and YMCA junior nationals swim team. She has 230 community service hours at many different organizations including the Brandywine Zoo, Multiplying Good, Sojourners’ Place, Spanish National Honor Society, CAB SMArt Summer Camp.

Li, a National Merit Scholarship finalist, has volunteered since 2020 for Delaware Diagnostics Lab. She was a paid summer chemical engineering intern at the University of Delaware.  She has held several leadership positions such as vice president and outreach director of Apollo: Youth in Medicine, state secretary and state treasurer of Delaware Technology Student Association, and Multicultural Club president. She participated in the First Tech Challenge Team 18739-ITNH. She also is a member of Business Professionals of America, Science Olympiad and HOSA. She also is an accomplished violinist.

Hosted in Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia since 1963, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a residential science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation’s rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEAM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities. Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

Students brought home honors from the 51^st annual Delaware Technology Student Association (DETSA) State Leadership Conference at University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall last week. Bringing together more than 800 students, educators, and industry professionals from across the state, this year’s conference was a celebration of innovation, leadership, and excellence in technology and engineering education, all under the theme “Evolution of Excellence.”

Fun-Filled Highlights of the 51st Annual SLC:

• Awards for Competitive Events: With more than 60 exciting competitive events covering robotics, coding, engineering, fashion design technology, digital video production, multimedia production, and more. Delaware’s students displayed their talents and expertise for all to see!
• Empowering Leadership Workshops: Attendees were inspired by engaging workshops and seminars led by professionals from the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering, helping them gain valuable skills and knowledge for their future adventures in technology and STEM.
• Connect and Learn: The conference provided a platform for students to make friends, meet educators, and connect with representatives from the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering, sparking new friendships and inspiring teamwork within the technology and STEM community.
• Special Shoutouts: Outstanding chapters like Indian River School District’s Sussex Central High School and MOT Charter School were recognized, as well as exceptional student leaders such as Lillian Sharp and Jessica Liu, for their contributions.
• Celebrating State Officers: Outstanding senior student leaders Anaum Allimulla, Kate Li, and Sanjana Gontu were recognized for their contributions along with their fellow standout peers of Chuiyee Kong, Arnav Taduvayi, and Mason LeNoir for their fantastic leadership skills.
• Passing the Torch: DETSA welcomed new visionary student leaders from Odyssey Charter School, Caesar Rodney School District’s Caesar Rodney High School, and Newark Charter High School, who are ready to lead DETSA into a future full of excitement and innovation.

Alongside these highlights, the conference celebrated the achievements of Delaware Technology Student Association members through thrilling competitive events. DETSA’s 2024 awards represent how our youth are dedicated to applying innovation and creativity to solve technological problems.

For more information about the Delaware Technology Student Association and upcoming events, please visit www.detsa.org.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

The Delaware Department of Education, in conjunction with the state’s geospatial education community, invites Delaware middle and high school students to enter Esri’s 2024 ArcGIS webapp competition. Students are challenged to create and share interactive mapping projects using ESRI ArcGIS software. Delaware entrants to this national competition must create a digital Storymap that explores some aspect of life in Delaware.

The competition is open to high school (grades 9-12) and middle school (grades 5-8) students. Assistance is available to teachers and students who have limited knowledge of how to create an ArcGIS Storymap or web app. Delaware’s top five middle and top five high school students each will be awarded a $100 prize. The state also will select one middle school and one high school entrant to compete nationally.

“Each year students wow me with their entries,” Secretary of Education Mark Holodick said. “This is a great opportunity for students to have fun while practicing real world skills.”

The competition closes May 3, 2024.

See flier here: StoryMap2024

Past winning entries from Delaware students along with more information is available online here.

Email maps@doe.k12.de.us with questions.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

More than 180 students brought home medals from this month’s Delaware Educators Rising State Leadership Conference — with more than 80 students qualifying for the national conference this summer.

Winners in the children’s literature competitive events were awarded scholarships from University of Delaware and winners in the Educators Rising Moment, a speech event, were awarded scholarships from Wilmington University.

Rising education professionals engaged in multiple professional learning sessions hosted by University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Delaware, and Wilmington University, as well as keynote sessions with Sinead Ronan (2024 Delaware Educational Support Professional of the Year), Representative Sherae’a Moore, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, and Cory Hafer, 2024 Delaware Teacher of the Year.

The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) partnered with University of Delaware to host the event in Newark.

Delaware Educators Rising is a career and technical student organization (CTSO) affiliated with the Delaware Teacher Academy. The organization integrates learning opportunities into existing education and training programs to prepare Delaware youth for future education careers.

Educators Rising students participate in professional and personal development events, engage in state and national educational competitions, and expand their experiences as rising educational professionals. The program is also engaged in Delaware Grow Your Own, which allows school districts and charter schools throughout the state to recruit future teachers early from within their own teacher academies.

For a list of awardees and more photos, visit Educators Rising results.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006