Introducing the Science Educators’ Best of Show Awards
Now there’s a program that recognizes and celebrates the breakthrough products and services that have the potential to transform science and STEM teaching and learning—as chosen by science educators.
- Receive a stamp of approval for your products and services from the professionals who matter, science educators.
- Distinguish your new and notable products and services from the hundreds of products at NSTA.
- Boost your booth traffic. Educators will be encouraged to vote via the NSTA web app.
- Broaden your marketing reach by integrating the contest with your social media, and public relations campaigns.
- Complete the simple entry form that includes your product name, booth number, and a brief description. No shipping of products or setting up guest user accounts for judges.
It’s easy to participate.
Any organization that has spectacular product(s) and/or services to display on the NSTA National Conference exhibit floor.
Award Categories
1) Outstanding Vendor, Attendees’ Choice – $395/entry – One entry permitted Recognizes science and STEM organizations who go above and beyond to deliver remarkable customer service. The winner will be determined by popular vote of NSTA National Conference attendees, available for voting on the NSTA app. Four finalists will also be recognized.
2) Best New Technology Innovation Award – $395/entry – multiple entries permitted. Nominate products and services that use technology to increase student learning, that are demonstrably innovative, and that save time for educators. Product must have begun shipping on or after 1/1/2019 to be eligible.
– Best New Technology Innovation for Science Education (product must have begun shipping on or after (1/1/2019 to be eligible.)
– Best New Technology –Innovation for STEM Education (product must have begun shipping on or after (1/1/2019 to be eligible.)
3) Best Tried & True Technology for Teaching and Learning – $395/entry – multiple entries permitted. Nominate products that have stood the test of time and are backed by exemplary technical support, curricular materials, and professional development for science and STEM teaching and learning.
Apps & software
Coding
Games for learning
Hardware (microscopes, sensors, lab technology, makerspace equipment etc.)
3D Printing
Robotics
Simulations & video-based interactives
Other
Language arts
Visual arts
Educational travel, field trips and after-school programs
Lab Equipment & Supplies by Discipline
Biology/life sciences
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering
Environmental/Earth Science
Physics
Physical science
Space science
STEM education
Lab Equipment & Supplies by Grade Level
Pre-K-Elementary science
Middle school science
High school science
4) Best Educator Experience – $395/entry – multiple entries permitted. Recognizes companies and organizations who give back to science and STEM education by contributing free time, talent, training, materials, and experiences to enrich the lives of science and STEM educators.
Best Exhibitor Workshops
Best Free Digital Resources
Best Free Classroom Giveaways
Best Free Product Training
Best Booth Design & Experience
Early-bird savings: Outstanding Vendor, Attendees’ Choice, save $200. Entry and payment must be received on or before 2/14/2020.
All other categories, save $75. Entry and payment must be received on or before 2/14/2020.
- Award applications open at Catapult-x.com on December 2, 2019.
- Judging takes place at the NSTA National Conference from April 2-5, 2020.
A panel of “secret shopper” educators, selected in advance by Catapult X, will review nominations and choose the winners. Two secret-shopper judges will review each vendor submission. They will visit booths during the NSTA National Conference to learn more about the nominated products and services and to score their findings.
All educators will have the opportunity to vote via the NSTA conference app. In the case of a secret-shopper judge tie, the educator vote will break the tie.
$395 per entry
Early bird discount ends 2/14/20: Save $75 for Products/Services
Special Category: Outstanding Vendor, Educators’ Choice
Early bird discount ends 2/14/20: Save $200 for Outstanding Vendor Category
Application payments must be received no later than March 27, 2020 (via credit card through the Catapult X website).
Yes! Enter as many products as you choose. Each requires a nomination form and entry fee.
Yes. Information submitted on award applications will not be published prior to the NSTA National Conference or shared with anyone beyond the judges and the award administrators.
You will receive an awards seal to use for promotions and mentions online at NSTA, Catapult X, and in the summer print issue of NSTA Reports, which reaches 43,000 science educators during the peak sales season.
The recipients will be announced on Catapult-x.com before the exhibit hall closes on Saturday, April 4. Winners will be recognized in the summer issue of NSTA Reports.
