About the Program

Established in 1990, TMA’s annual award recognizes and provides cash awards to outstanding science teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. These teachers are honored for the valuable role they play in promoting scientific literacy and education and for cultivating interest among students for careers in science and medicine. The teachers’ schools also receive a grant to enhance their science curriculum.

TMA’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching is an effective strategy in improving scientific literary because it recognizes outstanding teachers in a meaningful way and provides them the resources they need to continue their innovative techniques in the classroom.

In 1998, Dr. Ernest and Sarah Butler of Austin established an endowment dedicated to the Science Teacher Awards program. Over the years, it has provided steady income to support this initiative and has inspired hundreds of additional TMA and TMA Alliance members to donate to the program over the years as well.

The need for a scientifically curious and literate population is crucial, as Texans are faced with complex and important health care decisions and must be able to evaluate the wide range of health and medical information available to them.