"Ways to Use AEF Programs ... for AFA States & Chapters"

Objective

The Christa McAuliffe Memorial Award honors one public, private, or parochial classroom teacher (kindergarten through twelfth grade) who demonstrates excellence in furthering the concepts of aerospace technologies in the classroom through successful, innovative curricular classroom programs. Recognition is also given to the 2nd and 3rd place finalists.

Requirements/Evaluation Criteria

• A letter of endorsement by the AFA sponsor and a letter or support for this nomination from your administration must be submitted. (5 points)
  
   
• Professional Resume (listing degrees, schools, dates, continuing education, teaching experience and other employment, publications, formal research completed or ongoing, professional honors/awards, civic and community service honors/awards) must be submitted. (5 points)
  
   
• A description of the instructional environment as it relates to the sponsoring institution must be included. For example, an aerospace education program sponsored under the aegis of a museum, after school learning centers, etc. Indicate the source of funding for this institution and the program. (5 points)
  
   
• A description of research/curricular activities which you are conducting to incorporate aerospace education into the curriculum must be submitted. This should be double-spaced and not exceed three pages. If there is a published curriculum guide associated with the program, include it as an appendix. Identify if this is a new program or an extension of an existing one and the number of years the program has been in existence. Describe the follow-on elements of the program. (65 points)
  
   
• Include examples/samples of the curriculum materials. This may include a curriculum outline, sample lesson plans, selected photos, newspaper articles, student products, etc. (20 points)
  
   
• Optional: Description of community outreach and impact of your aerospace education activities.
  
   
• Optional: Letters of endorsement from community, business leaders, fellow educators or students.
  
   
• Applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, May 31, 2006.
  
   

Award Allocation

Award Recipient

• $5,000 Stipend
  
   
• Trip to Washington, D.C. to receive the award at the AFA Air & Space Conference.

2nd and 3rd Finalists

• $2,500 for 2nd Place Finalist
  
  
• $1,000 for 3rd Place Finalist

Guidelines

For the Teacher

• Applications must be submitted through and sponsored by an AFA Chapter, State, or Regional Organization.
  
   
• The applicant must be an active classroom teacher in a public, private, or parochial school. This includes magnet schools, but excludes specialized aerospace education centers whose programs are not part of an accredited school program.
  
   
• All required elements must be submitted in a notebook. The total submission may not exceed two inches in thickness.
  
   
• Applicants may be re-nominated; however, the application must be updated.
  
   

For the AFA Field Unit

• The sponsor section of the application must be completed and signed by the AFA Field Unit.
  
   
• The AFA Field Unit, or designated representative, must provide a written letter of endorsement for inclusion in the submittal.
  
   
• AFA Field Units may re-nominate previous applicants; however the submittal must be updated.
  
   
• AFA Field Units are encouraged to actively work with the nominee in preparing the submission.
  
   

Click here to view the Previous Winners of the Christa McAuliffe Memorial Award.

Click Here to receive a downloadable Christa McAuliffe Memorial Award Application