McGraw-Hill Announces Winners of the 2012 STEM Innovative Educator Awards

Company presents $25,000 in cash and prizes to top award winners

NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill today announced the winners of the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Innovative Educator Awards (STEMIEs), a competition that honors innovative educators in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Lance Schwartz, an eighth grade technology teacher from Selinsgrove, Pa., has been named the first-prize winner. Tricia Fuglestad, a fifth grade technology teacher from Arlington Heights, Ill., and Jim Emmert, a high school technology teacher from Pella, Iowa, were awarded second and third place prizes.

Teachers entered the contest by submitting a short video that demonstrates innovative teaching methods in their STEM classrooms. Thirty finalists were selected by teachers and a panel of guest judges, and were uploaded to the STEMIE site to encourage teachers to review, share and vote on other lessons. In total, over 22,000 votes were cast for extraordinary teachers from all across the country.

"It's inspiring to see our country's great teachers in action, and we're delighted to be able to give this award to such a dynamic and captivating teacher," said Lisa O'Masta, vice president of STEM, McGraw-Hill School Education. "The energy and creativity captured in Mr. Schwartz's video entry is an inspiration to all of us in the STEM learning community, and we sincerely hope that the prize will not only help Selinsgrove Area Middle School continue to support exemplary STEM education but serve as a platform for teachers to share effective teaching strategies."

Mr. Schwartz's winning video, which can be seen at stemie.mcgraw-hill.com, shows how his students use STEM concepts to design, build, analyze and race CO2-powered race cars. Selinsgrove Area Middle School will receive $15,000 to further enhance classrooms for STEM learning. A total of $25,000 will be awarded to three winners and five honorable mentions throughout the country.

For more information on McGraw-Hill's Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Innovative Educator Awards, please visit: stemie.mcgraw-hill.com.