PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Teich Group and Catapult X announce the winners of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards, the only awards program judged by STEM educators. The awards program, operated in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and MCH Strategic Data, and for the first time this year with the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), spotlights innovative products, technologies, and services that are changing the world of STEM education.
These STEM products were subject to a two-part evaluation process. First, by an expert panel of judges including Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton, Dr. Lance Brand, Dr. Jeffrey Crapper, Dr. Omah M. Williams-Duncan, Kim Collazo, Christina Wilson, Jamica Craig, and Erin Barr. Once judges selected the finalists, more than 267,000 STEM educators were given the opportunity to evaluate the finalists via survey.
“The number of remarkable products and the degree of innovation made an enormous impression on the judges,” said Annie Galvin Teich, president of The Teich Group and lead judge. “Educators value the alignment with NGSS standards, the use of simulations, instructional support for teachers, and the flexibility of implementation for different modes of instruction across all STEM topics.”
Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards Winners
| Best Educator Support for Teaching & Learning | BrainPOP Science |
| Best Freebies for STEM Careers | STEM Careers Coalition (Discovery Education) |
| Best Freebies for STEM Curriculum Integration | FILTERED (HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology) |
| Best Innovation for 2023 | ExploreLearning Frax |
| Best Integration of English Language Arts (STEAM) | CS Connections—Coding with Poetry Module (Code.org) |
| Best of STEM: Computer Science Grades PK– 5 | CodeMonkey |
| Best of STEM: Computer Science Grades 6–12 | LUMA (Pitsco Education) |
| Best of STEM: Culturally Relevant Teaching Grades K–5 | STEM Sports® Supplemental Curriculum |
| Best of STEM: Culturally Relevant Teaching Grades 6–12 | Code.org Culturally Responsive 6–12 Curriculum |
| Best of STEM: Most Comprehensive Culturally Relevant Teaching | Smithsonian Science for the Classroom (Carolina Biological) |
| Best of STEM: Engineering Project Kit | Drone Maker Kit (Pitsco Education) |
| Best of STEM: Engineering Inquiry-Based Program | A World in Motion (SAE International) |
| Best of STEM: Environmental Science | CS Connections—Simulating a Marine Ecosystem (Code.org) |
| Best of STEM: Life Sciences | Breakout Box: Body Systems Mission (Learning Undefeated) |
| Best of STEM: Phenomena-Based Teaching Grades K-5 | Collaborate Science ML-PBL Powered (Accelerate Learning) |
| Best of STEM: Phenomena-Based Teaching Grades 6-8 | BrainPOP Science |
| Best of STEM: Physics | Meter Stick Optics Complete System (PASCO Scientific) |
| Best of STEM: Robotics: Most Innovative | Evo (Ozobot) |
| Best of STEM: Robotics: Most Flexible Implementation | Finch Robot 2.0 (BirdBrain Technologies) |
| Best of STEM: Video-Based Learning | PASCO Academy (PASCO Scientific) |
| Bridging the Gap—Adaptive Technology | ALEKS (McGraw Hill) |
| Bridging the Gap—English Language Learners: Multiple Language Support | Code.org |
| Bridging the Gap—English Language Learners: Science & Literacy | Building Blocks of Science 3D (Carolina Biological) |
| Bridging the Gap—Math Intervention Resources | ExploreLearning Reflex |
| CTE Champion: Mechanical Engineering | Sphero Blueprint Build Kit |
| CTE Champion: Career Explorations | Pathways to Success (JASON Learning) |
| CTE Training: Health Science—ECG Training | ECG Simulators (Realityworks) |
| CTE Training: Health Science—Training Kits | Carolina BioKits®: Blood Typing (Carolina Biological) |
| Social Impact Award: Developing Citizen Scientists | Beyond the Water Bottle: Minimizing Microplastic Pollution (JASON Learning) |
| Trailblazer Award: Hybrid Learning Superhero | Carolina Distance Learning® Online Gateway |
| Trailblazer Award: Early Learning Grades PK–5 | CS Connections Curricula (Code.org) |
| Trailblazer Award: Immersive Reality | Eduverse (Avantis Education) |
| Trailblazer Award: Inspiring Computational Thinking | Ellipsis Education |
| Trailblazer Award: Cross-Curricular Coding | Coding with Vehicle Sensor Technologies Kit (PASCO Scientific) |
| CTE Champion: Engineering | A World in Motion (SAE International) |
STEM educators interested in becoming a judge for the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2024 Awards should contact Teich at ateich@theteichgroup.net. For more information about the awards program, visit www.bestofstemawards.com.
About Catapult X
Founded by Daylene Long, Catapult X is a market and product development company that consults exclusively with science and STEM/STEAM education industry partners—organizations, businesses, and associations—to catapult their brand and products forward by using data-driven insights.
Long catapults brand, product, and sales growth through alignment of data and strategy, using progressive research techniques and customer discovery. Long publishes national surveys on STEM education and STEM marketing infographics to guide edtech marketers across the globe. Long is an affiliate member of the Council of State Science Supervisors, a member of NSELA, and a twenty-year member of NSTA. Long connects her clients to administrators, educators, distributors, and media to build strong global partnerships.
About MCH Strategic Data
MCH Strategic Data is a first-class leading provider of data and technology solutions in education, religion, healthcare and government. MCH is dedicated to providing superior solutions through its ongoing investment in people, data and technology. Learn more at www.mchdata.com or find them on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About NSTA
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About NABT
Since being established in 1938, the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has been the recognized "leader in life science education." Thousands of educators have joined NABT to share experiences and expertise with colleagues from around the globe; keep up with trends and developments in the field; and grow professionally. For more information about NABT, please visit www.NABT.org.
