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STEM Benchmark Awards

Each year, the STEM Benchmark Awards celebrate the best in STEM education. Honorees are awarded in each of the four STEM categories – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – for programs and practices that set a new benchmark.

The following attributes are considered in making awards:

• Use of innovative technology, concepts, programs or materials to excite students about learning, increase subject interest and improve academic performance.
• Use of technology to promote digital learning and/or digital access to educational content.
• Educational programs that have the potential for wide impact by an entire school, a district or a larger audience. The concept of "connected learning" is noteworthy. Examples might include: web-based applications or cloud technology.
• Use of project-based or Design Challenge Learning (DSL) concepts.
• Individual contributors or team participants.
• The six I's: Inspiration, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion (i.e., team dynamics), Implementation (i.e., ease of) and Integration (i.e., integrating two or more subject areas such as math and technology).
• Alignment to KEEP Standards (Key Elements of Exemplary Programs), which are guidelines in which funders, educators, and other stakeholders could easily assess the quality and impact of a STEM- related program.

What does the honoree receive?

A trophy (i.e., the "Benchmark Award") and a $5,000 check will be presented to each honoree at SVEF's annual Pioneers & Purpose dinner. The gala is attended by over 600 persons. The presentation will be made by an executive from the sponsor organization for that particular Award category (i.e., Science, Technology, Engineering or Math). The executive will introduce the honoree via personal remarks and a 3-minute highlight video. The videos will remain on SVEF's web site for the following year as an inspiration to others. The videos may be shown on CreaTV, too. If the award winner is a for-profit entity, then they must contribute their $5,000 check to a teacher, a public school or a non-profit party that benefits public education. The honoree's program will also be showcased at the Pioneers & Purpose VIP Reception.

How are the awards judged and decided?

A jury of reviewers (selected from business and community leaders, educators, technologists, and SVEF staff) will review the nominations. Submissions will be judged on conformance to the criteria listed previously. SVEF wants to recognize programs that are truly transitional and have proven to be effective. Good ideas that have not yet been tested may be worthy but without evidence of results, they will likely not merit an award. The reviewers will select 3 candidates in each category for final judging by SVEF's STEM Advisory Board. One winner in each category will be selected, although all three finalists in each S-T-E-M category will be mentioned on SVEF's web site.