Nominate an Innovator for the Carnegie Science Awards
Each year, Carnegie Science Center honors and celebrates inspiring and innovative scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and educators who are making a difference in western Pennsylvania.
This year, nominations will be solicited in the spring. A committee of peers (past award winners and industry leaders) selects award winners whose contributions in the fields of science, technology, and education have led to significant economic or societal benefit in western Pennsylvania, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Nominations will be accepted from March 22 through May 17, 2021.
Each year, three students with outstanding projects submitted in the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair are chosen as Carnegie Science Award winners. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Awards, we have reimagined the slate of awards to reflect our core initiatives and values. This year, we are proud to hold open nominations for eight categories of awards, including several brand new categories:
Most Inspiring Educator: Awarded to an educator at any grade level (K–12 or college) whose classroom instruction — an interactive, iterative pedagogy — inspires their students to learn, grow, question, and explore their interests. This award, presented to an educator in any subject area, is intentionally open-ended since the definition of “inspirational” can take many forms.
Best Interdisciplinary Approach to STEM Education: Awarded to a K–12 or college-level educator who has developed and implemented a lesson, unit, project, or curriculum that integrates multiple subjects at any grade level to demonstrate how STEM skills are utilized in everyday, real-world experiences. The award honors an educator in any subject who breaks down learning silos to create the greatest relevancy for students and inspires those whose interests extend beyond science to the arts, humanities, social science, or other subjects.
Exemplary Educational/Corporate Collaboration: Awarded to a company and school (K–12 or college) whose partnership has provided quality STEM education opportunities to students in the region. This can include co-created, industry-relevant curriculum; intern/externships; mentor opportunities; or any similar initiative designed to advance student enlightenment of and/or career/educational opportunities in the STEM fields.
Champion for Sustainability: Awarded to the organization or individual who has used innovative means to develop, implement, and/or advocate sustainable practices individually or within their organization. This could include discovering and/or developing new, cleaner energy technologies in the region; advancing the fields of environmental protection and restoration; and/or anything that benefits health and quality of life in the region.
Champion for STEM Equity: Awarded to a science/STEM professional who is dedicated to using their expertise or position to benefit individuals or communities who are traditionally underrepresented, marginalized, or overlooked in or by STEM fields. This could be through actively providing opportunities for educational or career advancement in individuals in STEM fields or through the application of personal STEM expertise in service to those communities.
Entrepreneur: Awarded to an entrepreneur(s) who has successfully commercialized research in science and technology to develop a business, create jobs, and make a positive impact within western Pennsylvania’s science and technology industries.
Innovation: Awarded to an individual or team whose breakthrough approach to creatively solving a problem has had a positive impact on the community, particularly through the use of systems and policies that foster creativity and maximize the contributions of all individuals, leading to significant business, economic, or societal benefit for the region.
Corporate Leadership: Awarded to a company or team/individual within whose accomplishments in the areas of manufacturing and materials processes, biomedical or life sciences, and/or information technology have led to significant economic or societal benefits for the western Pennsylvania region.
Questions about the changes to award categories can be addressed to John Watt at WattJ@CarnegieScienceCenter.org.
In addition, the Chairman’s Award is presented to an individual or an organization that has made outstanding contributions in science, either through exemplary work in one field or through transcendent leadership, commitment, or achievement. This award honors those who build trust in science in a civic capacity and who advocate for the impact of science and technology on our society. The Chairman’s Award is conferred only in years when the judges determine someone has made an extraordinary impact on science and technology in our region.
Student Recognition at Carnegie Science Awards is based on judging consistent with the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair standards.
Make your nomination here.