Students busy conducting a science experiment.
Nominations are invited for the fourth annual STEM Educator of the Year award competition for Qatar’s top teacher in Math and Science, announced Texas A&M University at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar who sponsor the contest.
The STEM Educator of the Year award is part of Dhia: Engineering Leaders program, a partnership between Texas A&M at Qatar and Maersk Oil Qatar that supports development of Qatar’s knowledge-based economy through outreach programs designed to inspire young people in Qatar to take up science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in school and university. STEM education in primary, preparatory and secondary schools is central to these efforts, and the STEM Educator of the Year award recognises outstanding educators whose work contributes to exceptional STEM education in Qatar.
The STEM Educator of the Year award commends the commitment of teachers and positive impact they have on young people in Qatar. The initiative encourages educators to instruct students in innovative ways and represents direct efforts to support Qatar’s human and social development, which will drive country’s economic and environmental development through engineers and scientists.
Eligible candidates for the award are teachers of STEM disciplines in independent, private and international primary, preparatory and high schools in Qatar. Nominees must have been employed by their nominating school for at least one full academic year and be currently employed by nominating school. Nominations are due on April 1 at www.stem.qa.
The 2016 STEM Educator of the Year was Hessa Al-Shammari, a biology teacher at Roda Bint Mohammed Secondary School for Girls. Al-Shammari, who is first Qatari to be named STEM Educator of the Year, was described by her colleagues as an ambitious and proven problem solver who works well under pressure, and an energetic and enthusiastic teacher committed to her profession.
She was particularly praised for her use of technology in the classroom, which Al-Shammari said helps to motivate her students and increase the effectiveness of her teaching, making biology a more appealing and enjoyable subject to learn.
