Iowa Science Teaching Section (ISTS) Awards
Make a nomination & see past award winners.
ISTS Awards Nomination Forms
Nomination forms for Friend of Science and for Outstanding Service Awards are below.
Nominations are accepted online throughout the year.
The Iowa Science Teaching Section of the Academy presents awards in three categories annually. The Friend of Science awards originated in 1995 and include Corporate, Group or Individual, and Outstanding Service categories. The Outstanding Service Award was first presented as the Distinguished Service Award by the Iowa Science Education Association (ISEA) before it became the Iowa Science Teaching Section of the Academy. The first year of the award with the Academy was 1983. The name of the award was changed from Distinguished Service to Outstanding Service Award in 2009 to eliminate confusion between it and the Academy's Distinguished Service Award.
Up to two individuals, groups, businesses, or corporations will be recognized at the Fall Conference for supporting science education in your building, school district, region, or the State of Iowa.
Read the award descriptions below before filling out the appropriate form.
Corporate Friend of Science
ISTS recognizes with a plaque corporations, coalitions, foundations, or government entities that have made significant contributions to ISTS and/or to science education at the local, regional or statewide level. Awards are presented in the categories of small corporations and large corporations.
Friend of Science - Group or Individual
ISTS recognizes with a plaque an individual or group within the state that has made significant contributions to ISTS and/or to science education at the local, regional or statewide level. For example an individual or group may have volunteered to work in your school, your district or a wider area to help science education. Past winners have donated equipment, time, expertise or funds to promote science learning and teaching.
Outstanding Service Award
ISTS recognizes with a plaque an ISTS member who has made sustained extraordinary contributions to ISTS and/or to science education at the state and/or national level.
Make a Nomination for Friend of Science
Make a Nomination for the Outstanding Service Award
Recent ISTS Awards
Scroll down to view lists of past awards in each category.
2019 ISTS Awards
2019 Corporate Friend of Science
2019 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Des Moines Area Community College by Jesse Wilcox, Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for DMACC was Scott Schultz (R), Academic Dean of the Science, Engineering, Math, and Social Sciences (SMESS) Department.
2019 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Pictured from left to right: Jesse Wilcox (Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section), Patrick Bryant (Neal Smith NWR People for Pollinators Coordinator), and Nancy Corona (Neal Smith NWR Visitor Services Manager).
2019 Friend of Science - Group or Individual
2019 Individual Friend of Science Award was presented to Barry Plassman (R), engineer at John Deer Manufacturing in Waterloo, by Jesse Wilcox, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section
2019 Outstanding Service Award
Craig Johnson (L), Executive Director of the Iowa Academy of Science receives an Outstanding Service Award from Jesse Wilcox, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
Jerrid Kruse (L), associate professor of science education at Drake University, receives an Outstanding Service Award from Jesse Wilcox, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
2018 ISTS Awards
2018 Corporate Friend of Science
2018 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to the City of Davenport Public Works Department by Ken Turner, Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for DPW is Robbin Dunn (R), Communications and Preparedness Manager for Davenport Public Works.
2018 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Iowa Project A.W.A.R.E by Ken Turner (L), Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for Iowa Project A.W.A.R.E. is (L to R) Brian Soenen, Seth Zimmermann, and Lynette Seigley.
2018 Friend of Science - Group or Individual
2018 Individual Friend of Science Award was presented to Ginny Mitchell (R), Education Program Coordinator of the Insect Zoo at Iowa State University, by Ken Turner, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section
2018 Outstanding Service Award
Eric Hall (R), Hoover High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program Coordinator and Instructional Coach, received the 2018 Outstanding Service Award from Ken Turner, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
2017 ISTS Awards
2017 Corporate Friend of Science
2017 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Iowa’s County Conservation System by Lisa Chizek (L), Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for Iowa’s County Conservation System is Thomas Hazelton, CEO of Iowa’s County Conservation System
2017 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Iowa Children’s Water Festival by Lisa Chizek (L), Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for Iowa Children’s Water Festival is Kristi Wildung and Linda Kinman (R).
2017 Friend of Science - Group or Individual
2017 Individual Friend of Science Award was presented to Bryon Lyons (R), plant foreman at Traer Municiple Utilities, by Lisa Chizek, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section
2017 Outstanding Service Award
Mark McDermott (R), clinical associate professor of science education at the University of Iowa, received the 2017 Outstanding Service Award from Lisa Chizek, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
Jody Stone (R), professor of science education at UNI, received the 2017 Outstanding Service Award from Lisa Chizek, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
2016 ISTS Awards
2016 Friend of Science
2016 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Heartland AEA Science Team of Peg Christensen, Craig Edmondson, and Rob Kleinow by Stacey Rivera (L), Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section.
2016 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to the Science Center of Iowa by Stacey Rivera (R), Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for the Science Center of Iowa is Renee Shull-Harmon, Vice President of Science Learning.
2016 Outstanding Service Award
Pat Higby (R), Energy Educator at UNI’s Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE), received the 2017 Outstanding Service Award from Stacey Rivera, Chair of the Iowa Science Teachers Section.
2015 ISTS Awards
2015 Corporate Friend of Science
2015 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to the Iowa Limestone Producers Association.
2015 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented to Indian Creek Nature Center. Pictured from left to right: Craig Johnson, Iowa Academy of Science Executive Director, Jennifer Rupp, Indian Creek Nature Center Program Specialist and John Myers, Indian Creek Nature Center Executive Director.
2015 Friend of Science Award - Group or Individual
2015 Group Friend of Science Award was presented to The World Food Prize Youth Programs. Pictured from left to right: Craig Johnson, Iowa Academy of Science Executive Director, Jacob Hunter, The World Food Prize Director of Iowa Educational Programs and Lisa Fleming, The World Food Prize Director of Global Educational Programs.
2015 Individual Friend of Science Award was presented to Doreen Hayek.
2015 Outstanding Service Award
2015 Outstanding Service Award was presented to Yvette McCulley.
2015 Outstanding Service Award was presented to DeAnna Tibben.
2014 ISTS Awards
2014 Corporate Friend of Science
2014 Corporate Friend of Science Award was presented by Kelen Panec, Chair of the Iowa Science Teaching Section. Accepting for KEMIN are Penny Woods (L) and Zita Quade.
Ron De Armond, CEO, Pella Wildlife Company accepting Corporate Friend of Science Award from Kelen Panec.
2014 Friend of Science - Group or Individual
Yvette McCulley (L) accepts the award from Kelen Panec to honor posthumously Joseph Schwanebeck, Director of Education, Science Center of Iowa
Peter Holden, North Tama Schools & Mayor of Traer receives Friend of Science Award presented by Kelen Panec.
Friend of Science - Outstanding Service
Traci Maxted (R), Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School receives an Outstanding Service Award from Nadine Weirather, President of the Iowa Academy of Science
Gale Vermeulen (L) is presented an Outstanding Service Award by Kelen Panec.