Cheryl Cowan was a multi- award winning teacher spending most of her teaching years at Mayflower Mill Elementary School in Lafayette, Indiana.  In 1993, she was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for her exemplary teaching.  She served HASTI as a District Director many years before her untimely death from breast cancer.  She was awarded the Edward L. Frazier Distinguished Award in 1997 posthumously. 

This award is presented to an outstanding elementary science teacher who exhibits the passion for the innovative science teaching that exemplified Cheryl Cowan's teaching career. The Cheryl Cowan Memorial Award is awarded annually by the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc.

In addition to the honor of being selected for this prestigious award, HASTI will present a cash award of $100.00, a one-year HASTI membership, and a recognition plaque to the recipient.

Nominees must be full-time certified classroom teachers in a pre-school or elementary classroom in the state of Indiana. The nominee may, but is not required, to be a current HASTI member.

Teachers may self-nominate for this award.

HASTI AWARDS

HASTI recognizes outstanding Hoosier science educators who are innovators in their classrooms.   All recipients will be recognized at the HASTI Annual State Conference at the Awards Ceremony/Reception in February 2025.

Follow the directions below to ensure that applications are complete. 

1.   Online Registration 

Nominator completes the on-line awards application registration. Nominator provides nominee’s school information, contact information and A short (250 word or less) explanation of why your nominee deserves the award including an example of your nominee’s exemplary science teaching. Nomination Link

2. Nominee Vita

This section includes the nominee’s brief work history, honors or recognition received, or examples of leadership within profession, professional activities, and publications.

3. Nominee Photo

Include one photo of the nominee.  This photo will be used for publicity should the nominee be selected as the awardee.

4.  Letters of Recommendation

Two supporting letters from administrator, student or parent, and/or a peer teacher.   Support letters are limited to one single spaced, typed page.

Past Winners 

2023-

2022-

2021-

2020-

2019- Lauri Vitale

2018- Jill Robinson

2014 - Aaron Pickett

2013 - Douglas Hunnings, Becky Mitcheltree

2003- Jim Dettner

2001- Stacey Bell

2000- Stacey Smith

1999- Erik Haberkorn

1998- Julie Hays