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Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching

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    $62,000 in Awards for Texas Science Teachers

    Each year, TMA's Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching recognize and reward school teachers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These teachers share their energy and enthusiasm for science with their students every day, thereby sparking students' interest in science. 

    Grand Prize: One Texas science teacher will receive $20,000 plus a $5,000 school resource grant.

    Distinguished Awards: Three teachers (one at each level) will receive $7,000 and a $3,000 school resource grant.

    Rookie Award: A teacher with less than seven years’ experience will receive $5,000 and a $2,000 school resource grant.

    Cash awards generally are taxable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Seek the advice of your tax advisor for specific questions regarding earnings.

     

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  • Award Eligibility and Application

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    Who's eligible? 

    • Texas full-time public and private school science teachers with at least two years' completed classroom experience.
    • Teachers must be returning to a Texas classroom during the 2027-28 school year. 
    • All areas of science are welcome.
    • Applications must include educational history and professional development, three letters of support, professional essay, and portfolio.

    Apply or Nominate beginning May 1, 2026.

    Apply Now  

  • Recognizing Excellence

    These awards were created in 1990 to honor elementary, middle, and high school teachers who share their energy and enthusiasm for science through creative and innovative methods to cultivate student interest in medicine and science.

    Meet Our 2026 Winners

     

  • TMA Honors Excellence in Science Teaching

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    TMA receives hundreds of nominations and applications for this distinguished award program. Learn more about the Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

    About the Award 

  • TMA membership means support for K-12 science education in Texas.

    Join TMA Now

  • Details to Nominate
    a Teacher or Apply

    1. Complete the appropriate form to nominate or apply.
    2. Applicants and nominees will receive an email outlining the next steps.
    3. Review all required documents and the award scoring rubric.

    Nominate or Apply

  • Hear how one Austin science teacher kept his students engaged during distance learning with the help of a grant from TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

  • Share Your Opinion

    Science teachers, please take this short survey to help us understand the challenges and rewards of teaching science.

  • Make a Donation

    Support excellent science educators in Texas with a tax-deductible donation. In the drop-down menu, select TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching Program. 

  • Contact Information

    For more information about the science teacher awards or application process, email or call (512) 370-1300, ext. 1606.

     

  • Thank You

    The TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching are funded by the TMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of TMA, thanks to an endowment established by Dr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Butler of Austin.