We are excited to announce that nominations for our 2026 awards are now open! You do not have to be an OSTA member to nominate someone, so please share this information with principals and anyone else in your district/organization who works with science educators! You can nominate educators, and educators can even nominate themselves! Below are the awards and a link to the nomination form for each award.

Nominate someone by Sunday, March 29th, 2026. Nominees will be notified by Friday, April 3rd, 2026.

• Informal Science Educator Award - The Informal Science Educator Award honors an exceptional informal educator for their outstanding contributions to science education in Oklahoma.
• Oklahoma New Horizons Award - The New Horizons Award recognizes the outstanding work and contributions of a first-year or entry-year science teacher.
• Science Teacher of the Year - Each year, the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association (OSTA) honors outstanding science educators in four divisions: Elementary, Middle School, High School, and University/College. These awards celebrate educators who demonstrate excellence in science teaching and make significant contributions to science education in Oklahoma.
• Jack Renner Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Science Education Award - Dr. John W. "Jack" Renner (1924–1991) was a professor of Science Education and Physics at the University of Oklahoma. His research, influenced by Jean Piaget’s theories on intellectual development, emphasized independent thought and action in science learning. Over his 25-year career, Dr. Renner became a leading figure in science education through his research, teaching, and leadership. He received numerous awards for his contributions and served in key roles including President of NARST (1979–1980) and Program Chair (1978–1979, 1980–1981). In his honor, the Jack Renner Award recognizes outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to science education in Oklahoma.