Ten outstanding educators from across the U.S. have been recognized with the “Building the Future Award” by the SME Education Foundation and 3M for their efforts in furthering excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math education based on Project Lead the Way®curriculum and inspiring students to pursue technical careers. The awards will be presented on Nov. 12 at the Building the Future Awards dinner in Austin, TX, at the Second Annual Project Lead the Way®National Symposium.

By honoring outstanding individuals, the “Building the Future Awards” program strives to attract, motivate and reward the achievements of talented educators. Winners will receive $1,000 from the SME Education Foundation, and 3M will donate one of its interactive whiteboard-presentation systems for each instructor’s classroom.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization, promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students. Award criteria selection is based on recipients having worked with PLTW curriculum, which includes hands-on activities, field trips and group projects. These educators were also judged on exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom, having an engaging presence that inspires and motivates students, exceptional instructional practices demonstrated by increased student learning, and professional leadership.

“We’re pleased to honor these educators because they have shown extraordinary commitment in making sure their students are highly involved and excited about the possibilities of a technology-based career,” says Bart Aslin, director, SME Education Foundation.

Building the Future Awards winners are:

Arizona: Sylvia Grace, Desert Ridge High School, Gilbert Public Schools, Mesa, AZ.;California: Debra Crane, Galt High School, Galt, CA;Minnesota: Shabaka McKey, Henry High School, Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis, MN, and Jo Hendrickson, Shakopee Junior High School, Shakopee, MN;North Carolina: Leslie Snyder Eaves, School of Pre-Engineering at Atkins, Winston-Salem, NC;New York: Michael Gallagher, Saratoga Springs High School, Saratoga Springs, NY;Ohio: Tom Bratten, Canton South High School, Canton, OH;South Carolina: Wanda Staggers, Hanna-Westside Extension Campus, Anderson, SC;Texas: Barbara Kubinski, Nichols Junior High School, Arlington, TX, and Juan Flores, Vista Ridge High School, Cedar Park, TX.

For more information, visitwww.smeef.org.