The National STEM Awards event is an initiative of the National STEM Engagement Working Group, chaired by the Esplora Interactive Science Centre on behalf of the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST). The National STEM Engagement Working Group brings together different entities and professionals, working in Malta on STEM education, research, communication, outreach and engagement, to discuss and plan STEM initiatives in a way that avoids duplication and fragmentation of efforts.
This is the second edition of the National STEM Awards, following the first edition held in 2021.
The National STEM Awards aim to acknowledge and honour the far-reaching contribution made by individuals and organisations in Malta through engaging others with STEM, including the community at large. We hope to celebrate these role models, and their contribution in inspiring others to collaboratively prioritise STEM in the Maltese Islands.
Submission of nominations are now closed!
Once we receive a nomination, we will contact the nominated person or organisation so that they can continue with the application process. Nominees who do not submit a completed Application Form will not be eligible for consideration for the respective Award.
Applications will be evaluated and ranked by the Evaluation Panel.
Contact us here for any queries or further information:
+356 2360 2167
stemengagement.esplora@esplora.org.mt
2023 Award categories:
1. Primary Class Teacher Award for Inspiring Learners in STEM
2. Secondary School Teacher Award for Inspiring Learners in STEM
3. Non-formal STEM Educator Award
4. STEM Community Project Award
5. STEAM Project Award
6. Lifetime Award for Contribution to STEM Engagement
7. Engaged Researcher Award
8. Diversity in STEM Award
The evaluation criteria include the following headings : Excellence, Impact and Supporting Material. The Evaluation Panel will take into account evidence that the person or organisation:
1. Primary Class Teacher Award for Inspiring Learners in STEM
This award acknowledges Primary Class Teachers who, through their commitment, dedication and application of their particular teaching approach, have motivated their learners towards the exploration and enjoyment of STEM subjects.
Individual Primary Classroom Teachers who occupy the role on either part-time or full-time basis within any Primary School in Malta or Gozo, or who retired in or after 2022.
2. Secondary School Teacher Award for Inspiring Learners in STEM
This award acknowledges Secondary School Teachers who, through their commitment, dedication and application of their particular teaching approach, have motivated their learners towards the exploration and enjoyment of STEM subjects.
Individual Secondary School Teachers who occupy the role on either part-time or full-time basis within any Middle or Secondary School in Malta or Gozo, or who retired in or after 2022.
3. Non-formal STEM Educator Award
This award acknowledges STEM educators who demonstrate commitment and dedication in the non-formal education sector, for example, through extra-curricular STEM programmes, or conservation initiatives sharing the science of nature and the technology used to conserve it.
Nominees must be individuals who are passionate about STEM, and are involved in the creation/development/implementation of STEM Education activities. This work does not necessarily have to be their full-time occupation.
4. STEM Community Project Award
This award acknowledges creative and innovative projects that brought together STEM and a local community, with a focus on engaging and investing in the community.
In order to be considered eligible for this award, STEM Community Projects must have been undertaken in Malta/Gozo within the past 36 months.
This award will be presented to a project represented by one or several of the project partners, which could be Voluntary Organisations, Government Bodies, private organisations or foundations.
5. STEAM Project Award
This award acknowledges creative and innovative STEAM projects that integrated STEM and the Arts at their very core.
STEM Areas include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
For the purposes of this award, ‘Art’ includes, but is not limited to, performing arts, visual arts, applied arts, etc.
The project leader may be an individual, a group, an independent organisation or a public entity. STEAM Projects must have been undertaken in Malta/Gozo within the past 36 months.
6. Lifetime Award for Contribution to STEM Engagement
This award acknowledges individuals, be they experts, practitioners, academics or researchers, who distinguished themselves through a lifetime contribution to STEM engagement, leading to a significant impact on respective communities. This could include engagement with industry, policy-makers, academics or researchers, students or the local community.
Nominees should hold a PhD or equivalent, with a substantial track record of working/researching/teaching in one of the STEM-related fields, and corresponding effective stakeholder engagement. Retired professionals are also eligible.
7. Engaged Researcher Award
This award acknowledges researchers who carry out effective stakeholder engagement at all stages of their research, valuing the impact their efforts have on a local, national and international level.
Nominees must be individual researchers who have been working in a higher education institution, or other research-performing organisation, for at least 2 years.
Nominees must have performed extensive stakeholder, community, or citizen engagement and/or involvement in research.
8. Diversity in STEM Award
This award acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated substantial and effective efforts towards inclusion and engagement of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. These efforts may include encouraging and supporting underrepresented people, influencing policy makers, working to remove obstacles, etc. Nominees may include educators, academics, researchers, industry or community leaders. Under-represented groups in STEM include women and people who identify as non-binary, people who are LGBTQ+, people who are members of cultural or ethnic minorities, people with physical or mental differences or disabilities etc.
Nominees must be passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and have made substantial efforts to support diversity in STEM in Malta/Gozo, for example with school children, colleagues or students, other STEM professionals or any other members within the local community.
