Delaware Teachers Named Finalists for National Mathematics, Science Teaching Award

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


51st Annual DETSA Conference Celebrates Young Leaders, STEM and Innovation

Students brought home honors from the 51st 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


First State Students Earn Innovative Honors at National STEM Conference

Students and advisors from across the State of Delaware joined more than 8,000 national members at the 45th Annual Technology Student Association (TSA) conference that was hosted in Louisville, Kentucky last week. The First State delegation represented 130 of Delaware’s finest student leaders from Caesar Rodney High School, Cab Calloway School of The Arts, Fred Fifer Middle School, H.B. duPont Middle School, Indian River High School, Magnolia Middle School, MOT Charter High School, Newark Charter School, Newark High School, Odyssey Charter School Postlethwait Middle School and Sussex Central High School.

 

Students competed in individual and team events such as: Architecture; Podcasting; Biotechnology; Board Game Design; Career Prep; Coding; Cybersecurity; Data Science and Analytics; Video Production; Dragster Design; Extemporaneous Speech; Fashion Design and Technology; Flight Endurance; Foundations of Information Technology; Future Teacher; Manufacturing Prototype; Microcontroller Design; Photographic Technology; Solar Sprint; Software Development; STEM Animation; Structural Engineering; System Control Technology; Technology Problem Solving; VEX Robotics; Video Game Design; Virtual Reality Visualization (VR); and Website Design and more.  Honors for the Delaware delegation include:

 

Achievement Awards

  • Samhitha Vallury of MOT Charter School recognized for service as secretary of Technology Student Association inc.
  • Samra Iqbal of Caesar Rodney High School recognized for service as reporter of Technology Student Association inc.
  • Roger Seedorf of MOT Charter School recognized as High School Teacher of the Year
  • Laura Barnas of Postlethwait Middle recognized as Middle School Teacher of the Year
  • Mike Fitzgerald from the Delaware Department of Education recognized as the National State Advisor of the Year

 

National Top 10 Finalists

  • Desen Basara of Caesar Rodney High School earned 1st place in Essays on Technology
  • Shiven Reddy and Youg Patel of Newark Charter High School earned 3rd place in Technology Problem Solving
  • Nathan Hryniewicz of Newark Charter High School earned 5th place in CAD Engineering
  • Arnav Angra of H.B. duPont Middle School earned 7th place in Foundations of Information Technology
  • John Barnas, Zachary Barnas, and Mason Lenoir of Postlethwait Middle School earned 7th place in Video Game Design
  • James Carroll and Audrey Houghton of Newark Charter High School earned 10th place in Forensic Science
  • Ethan Ho, Chase Polk and Noah Veron of Newark Charter High School earned 10th place in System Control Technology

 

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) dedicated to students interested in advancing the future of technology, invention, innovation, design, and engineering. Through TSA, members gain the opportunity to participate in STEM focused competitive events, take part in community service work, and become leaders for the organization at the school, state, and national level. TSA incorporates co-curricular experiences to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leadership, skill development, and teamwork. To learn more about the Delaware Technology Student Association visit: www.detsa.org or contact Mike Fitzgerald by phone at (302) 735-4015 or via email at mike.fitzgerald@doe.k12.de.us. A list of all international finalists can be found online at TSA Competitive Event Finalists.

 

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


2023 Delaware Finalists Announced for White House STEM Recognition

The Delaware Department of Education has named four Delaware teachers as state finalists for the 2023 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 2023 PAEMST National Awardees.

The 2023 DE State Finalists are:

  • Michael Doody, science,  William Penn High School, Colonial School District
  • Yavet Respes, mathematics,  P.S. duPont Middle School, Brandywine School District
  • Brittney Stewart, mathematics, Caesar Rodney High School, Caesar Rodney School District
  • Scott Woodring, mathematics,  Middletown High School, Appoquinimink 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 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.

For more information about PAEMST and to see future nomination forms and application instructions, visit paemst.nsf.gov.

 

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


DNREC Supports 2023 Youth Environmental Summit for Delaware High School Students on March 2

The 4th annual YES! Summit will be held March 2, with DNREC again a lead sponsor of the event and staff on hand to interact with high school students about environmental issues and careers. Student registration is open through Feb. 24. Above, students show off reusable DNREC bags and swag from last year’s YES! Summit. DNREC photo.

 

On March 2, more than 450 Delaware high school students are expected to gather in Newark for the fourth annual Delaware Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) to learn more about today’s top environmental issues and challenges, and to network with their peers and guest speakers. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is a fourth-year sponsor of the event, which includes keynote speaker Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and presentations by DNREC staff.

The student-led conference will be held at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall Conference Center in Newark and is offered free of charge, with lunch included, for Delaware high school students and educators who are advisors to school teams. Preregistration is open now through Friday, Feb. 24 at DelawareYES.org. Attendance is limited.

“Many of today’s young people are stepping up to take leading roles as environmental advocates for the health and future of our planet as we gather together to take on the challenge of climate change,” said Secretary Garvin. “DNREC has proudly supported YES! since its inception in 2020. We encourage Delaware’s up-and-coming environmental stewards to attend this year’s YES! summit and learn more about today’s key environmental issues such as environmental justice, and to make their voices heard as they seek a seat at the table determining their future.”

Planned by students, YES! aims to inspire youth-led action and environmental leadership through keynote speakers, more than two dozen breakout workshops, and nonprofit and agency exhibitors. In addition to Secretary Garvin, guests and speakers include U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester, Governor John Carney, members of the General Assembly, and Nessy Cherazard, a 15-year-old environmental activist currently in her senior year at Sussex Technical High School. This year’s topics include green schools, electric school buses, food waste, climate change, wildlife and hunting conservation, clean water, STEM, sustainability, plastic pollution/zero waste, green careers and college majors, beekeeping, clean energy and advocacy.

“As a youth summit leader, I’m exceptionally proud of the summit we created this year for Delaware students by Delaware students,” said Nitya Patel, the summit’s 2023 student coordinator. “Our generation is disproportionately impacted by climate change, and it’s time to act!”

YES! was created by a coalition of representatives from educators at Delaware schools, non-profit environmental organizations, and public agencies to provide the opportunity for teens to meet, learn and share their ideas on environmental issues of concern and to develop action plans for their schools and communities. The inaugural conference in February 2020 was attended by student teams from more than 20 Delaware schools representing all three counties and more than 270 students. In 2021, a virtual summit was held with more than 30 Delaware high schools represented. More than 350 students from 18 Delaware high schools from across the state were represented in 2022.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

DNREC Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

YES! Media Contact: Dee Durham, CEO Plastic Free Delaware, deedurham@dca.net, 302-981-1950