Know a STEM educator in Orange County who is making a difference?
The Orange County Department of Education, in partnership with Cox Communications and the Inside the Outdoors Foundation, is once again seeking nominations for its Outstanding STEM Educator awards.
The program is designed to celebrate the work of educators improving student outcomes through innovative and inspiring approaches to science, technology, engineering and math.
To nominate an educator, fill out the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educator Nomination Form before 11:59 pm local time on Monday, June 8. Nominators must also provide the contact information of someone with ties to the educator who can verify their qualifications.
Award recipients will be selected by a review committee and announced on or before Monday, June 22. Each will receive a cash prize of $1,000 and will be honored at a ceremony in August.
There are a variety of award categories, including:
- 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 Virtual STEM Instruction/Programming
For further questions about the nomination process, contact John Fox at jfox@ocde.us.