The AMF, NASA, and the Space Foundation present the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award annually for outstanding contributions to technology education made by K-12 educators or district-level personnel. The award is named after Alan Shepard, one of the nation’s original seven Mercury astronauts, the first American to fly in space, one of only 12 humans who have walked on the moon, and a former AMF board member. The winner receives US$1,000, a trophy, his/her name engraved with past winners' names on a plaque at the Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and an expense-paid trip to the Space Foundation's 26th National Space Symposium, April 12-15, 2010. The honoree is formally presented the award at the Symposium's Opening Ceremony and can then participate in education programs for teachers at the Symposium.
Open to all K-12 school- and district-level educators across the U.S., the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award recognizes excellence in the development and delivery of technology programs, with priority given to programs that focus on aerospace and/or aeronautics. The nominations must demonstrate how the program ultimately benefits students in a school or district. A school-level candidate must be nominated by his/her school principal and a district-level nominee must be nominated by his/her superintendent or associate superintendent. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 16, 2010 — select the graphic above for further information.