The OC STEM Initiative, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and Cox Communications, is inviting community members to nominate exceptional educators for the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educators awards.
This recognition program honors individuals who advance STEM education in Orange County by engaging students in hands-on learning experiences and preparing them for future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Nominees may include educators from early childhood to post-secondary levels, as well as individuals leading career awareness programs, STEM initiatives and innovative instruction. Community members can submit nominations by April 1 at 11:59 p.m. through this online form.
“The goal of these awards is to highlight bright spots across the county that move the field of STEM education forward,” said Holly Steele, administrator of OCDE’s STEM and Inside the Outdoors programs.
A panel, including representatives from Cox Communications, will review nominations. Honorees will be announced by May 1 and recognized at a ceremony later that month. Each awardee will receive $500 and their respective organizations will be awarded a $1,500 grant to support STEM activities.
Award categories include:
- Outstanding Early Childhood Educator
- Outstanding Expanded Learning STEM Educator
- Outstanding K-12 STEM Educator
- Outstanding Post-Secondary STEM Educator
- Outstanding Career Awareness STEM Educator
- Outstanding Leadership in STEM Education
- Outstanding Community Advocate in STEM Education
- Innovation in STEM Instruction/Programming
If you have questions about the nomination process, contact Leyla Riley at leyla.riley@uci.edu or Holly Steele at hsteele@ocde.us. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit OCDE’s webpage.