The Project Tomorrow Innovation in Education Awards

Project Tomorrow, in partnership with the OC Tech Alliance, is calling for nominations from the Orange County community to recognize outstanding education programs, educators and students for their innovative uses of science, math and technology.  The Annual Innovation in Education Awards process is open to all public and private schools in Orange County, CA and nomination forms are available on Project Tomorrow’s website, http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html. The 2014 Innovation in Education Award recipients will be announced at the 21^th Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 9^th, 2014 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. This year’s event also represents the 9^th annual education focused segment, a partnership between Project Tomorrow and corporate sponsors, Emulex Corporation and Microsemi Corporation.

Project Tomorrow is seeking nominations in three categories this year:

• Innovative Schoolwide Program of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – distinguishing a public, private, or parochial school that demonstrates innovation with an outstanding, results-based schoolwide program

• High Impact Teacher of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – acknowledging the influence of a great teacher in his/her use of science, math or technology to significantly impact  student academic achievement

• Emerging Student Innovator of the Year in Science, Math & Technology – recognizing current eighth grade or freshman, sophomore, and junior high school students who are creatively using science, math and technology resources to solve a school or community problem

“With the aim of creating a career-ready workforce and improving education, this awards process provides a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase Orange County school programs and teachers which are cultivating 21st-century skills as well as the students who are putting these essential skills to use by developing innovative solutions to real problems,” says Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow’s CEO.  

Nominations for the 2014 Project Tomorrow Innovation in Education awards may be self-submitted or submitted by a district and/or school staff person. Organizations such as a PTA unit, parent advisory committee, or any youth based organization(s) are also eligible to nominate.  An independent review panel of local education and business leaders will select this year’s award recipients.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2014. Nomination may be submitted through the online application forms found at http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/innovationawards.html.