OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE SCIENCE TEACHER AWARD


The purpose of the Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award (OUSTA) is to recognize the achievements of our teaching colleagues that have enhanced the profession as outstanding teachers of science. This annual award is based upon a selection process that evaluates nominees according to the following ranked categories: 1) teaching excellence; 2) scholarship; and 3) service.

Nominees need not be a member of SCST, but should have been actively involved in teaching undergraduate science for the previous five (5) years. Nominations may be made by colleagues or students; self-nominations are also encouraged.

The criteria for each category shall include, but not be limited to the following:

Teaching excellence as evidence through teaching philosophy and effectiveness, teaching innovations, and course and curricula development.

Scholarship as evidenced through publications in science education, presentations, grants received, and other forms of scholarship including discipline-based research.

Service to science education, students, the profession, scientific and educational organizations, the nominee’s institution, local teachers and their school systems, and the general public with the overall goal of enhancing understanding of scientific issues.

The application deadline is June 1st of each year.  Full disclosure of award amount, duties of the winner and timetable of events can be found within the OUSTA Application Packet. 

Send Application Materials To:

Dr. Murray Jensen, OUSTA Chair

Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award Committee
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota
128 Pleasant St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

OUSTA APPLICATION

Click Here for more information regarding the nomination and application process



PAST OUSTA WINNERS

  1. -2008:  Nancy Elwess

  2. -2007:  Murray Jensen

  3. -2006:  Kenneth Sajwan

  4. -2005:  Claire Cronmiller



MORE MINI-GRANT INFORMATION

Click here to download a PDF file that explains the application process.

SCST MINI-GRANT


HISTORY

In order to encourage its members to undertake scholarly initiatives, in 1987 the Executive Board of the Society for College Science Teachers (SCST) voted to dedicate $1,000 each year to help college science teachers who were members of SCST initiate projects that advance the objectives of the Society. In 1994, the Board voted to increase the funds to $1,500. The increase allows SCST the flexibility to fund a greater number of initiatives, or more costly initiatives. 


PURPOSE

Purpose of the SCST Minigrant Program

The purpose of these funds is to support the goals of SCST through activities that (1) further the development and/or the improvement of college science courses, (2) enhance communication among college science teachers and researchers at all levels, or (3) promote awareness of the significance of exceptional science teaching.


ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

SCST members in good standing may submit Applications either as:

  1. •an individual undertaking and directing a project.  

  2. •a team that includes at least one SCST member who will undertake and direct a project*

(* the SCST member participating, in the proposal activity must be the project director and must sign the application.)

The 2008 winner of the Society for College Science Teachers (SCST) Outstanding Undergraduate Science Teacher Award (OUSTA) is Dr. Nancy Elwess. 


Dr. Elwess is currently an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the State University of New York at Plattsburg.  In addition to numerous teaching awards, she has an outstanding research and publication record in molecular biology. 


As well as an incredible teaching bckground, which includes extensive work with local high school teachers and students, her teaching program has been described as dynamic, incorporating inquiry-based labs with state-of-the-art equipment that has been mostly purchased though grants which she has authored.