ROCHESTER, NY—The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) will recognize local educators and organizations making a difference and exciting the community about opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the RMSC STEM Awards, presented by G.W. Lisk. The breakfast and awards ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 from 8–10 a.m. at the Strathallan Hotel, located in downtown Rochester. The event is open to the public.
“These awards that RMSC gives are important because they allow us to recognize the vital and innovative work in STEM education that is happening in our community,” said Victoria Van Voorhis, RMSC STEM Awards Committee Member and CEO of Second Avenue Learning. “Everything these educators and organizations are doing to help prepare our students for exciting futures and, ultimately, strengthen our regional economy.”
Individuals and organizations were nominated for six distinct RMSC STEM Awards. Volunteer committee members have selected the finalists.
2020 RMSC STEM Awards, presented by G.W. Lisk, finalists
STEM Catalyst Awards: These awards recognize area organizations or individuals that develop and encourage an environment that promotes innovation in science and technology, or that has utilized science and technology to form a lasting impact on the Greater Rochester Region. STEM Catalyst Awards are presented in the following categories: Optics/Photonics/Imaging, Sustainability/Agriculture/Food Production, and Software/Manufacturing and Technology (including coding, robotics, and gaming). The 2020 finalists for these awards are:
- STEM Catalyst Awards finalists in the Optics/Photonics/Imaging category: Navitar, Stefan Preble (RIT Microsystems Engineering Program), and Tom Battley (Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster).
- STEM Catalyst Award finalists in the Sustainability/Agriculture/Food Production category: Impact Earth, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Rochester NY March for Science.
- STEM Catalyst Award finalists in the Software/Manufacturing and Technology (including coding, robotics, and gaming) category: Aldon Corporation, Greater Rochester Robotics First (Churchville Chili Sr. High School), and the RIT Magic Center.
STEM Education Awards: Presented at elementary, secondary and university levels, these awards recognize innovative teaching in STEM education. Educators and/or administrators are recognized for innovation in inspiring students to understand, appreciate, and apply STEM concepts from PreK through higher education. The 2020 finalists for these awards are:
- STEM Education finalists, PreK–6: Blaine Broughton-Enrichment Teacher (Fred W. Hill Elementary School), Barry Nobles (Backyard Lander), and Travis Wood (Fairport Central School District)
- STEM Education finalists, 7–12: Anna Bayerl (Dake Junior High School), Travis Godkin (Allendale Columbia School), the Hilton High School STEM Team, Paige LaBarr (Mendon High School), Dr. Marie LoRe Geigel (Sutherland High School), and Pathways Technology Early College High School (Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES).
- STEM Education finalists, Higher Education/Adult Education: Josh Cobb (Monroe Community College), RIT Women in Computing (WiC), and RIT Women in Engineering (WE@RIT).
Tickets to the RMSC STEM Awards presented by G.W. Lisk are $50 for individual tickets and $1,250 for a table sponsorship (10 seats) and includes breakfast. Seating is limited; pre-registration is encouraged at RMSC.org or by contacting Brandon L. Swain at 585.697.1988 or bswain@rmsc.org. To become a sponsor, contact Katie Mackey at kmackey@rmsc.org or 585-697-1973.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Carolyn Stiles, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC, 585.697.1944 or cstiles@rmsc.org
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families.
For more information about RMSC, visit https://rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
