(Portland, OR) April 21, 2026 – The 2026 Educators Pick Best of STEM® Awards is open for submissions. New this year are categories to recognize the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational products and services. The “Educators Pick Best of AI® Award” categories are open to both STEM and non-STEM companies and highlight innovative products and services that use AI to support teaching and learning.
“Our awards program is unique in that it is judged by credentialed STEM educators, which brings credibility to the program and provides added value for the participants,” said Daylene Long, CEO of Catapult X which hosts the annual awards program. “While STEM remains our focus, we recognize the massive impact AI products and services are having on education so we expanded our list of categories to reflect this shift. So, whether you are a STEM company whose products are positively impacting education, or a non-STEM company using AI in unique and innovative ways in schools, we encourage you to apply!”
The Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards, now in its 6th year, is hosted by Catapult X in partnership with MCH Strategic Data, the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
The awards program features nearly 50 categories spanning science disciplines, career and technical education (CTE), and now – artificial intelligence. It recognizes organizations pushing the boundaries of technology for teaching and learning, products and services that are specifically helping educators accelerate student learning, and more.
To enter, companies must complete a short nomination, including a description of the product, service, or technology; the grade levels the product, service, or technology serves (PreK-college/university level); and the company website and name. Companies can additionally provide a limited license or product for judges to review, as well as schedule product demonstrations during the judging period.
All nominations are due by June 4, 2026. The cost is $745 for one submission, $625 per submission for two to four submissions, and $575 per submission for five or more submissions. A discounted rate is available for entries submitted by May 5, 2026.
Led by Annie Galvin Teich, president of The Teich Group, this year’s judges include Erin Barr, Kim Collazo, Jamica Craig, Carrie Robledo, Dr. Omah Duncan, Dr. Linda Johnson-McClinton, and Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth. Anyone interested in becoming a judge can contact Galvin Teich at ateich@theteichgroup.net.
Educator judging will take place in July followed by the announcement of finalists on August 5, 2026. All finalists will then be submitted for a popular vote by the awards program’s network of educators. Winners will be announced on August 26, 2026.
All winners and finalists will have the opportunity to receive additional visibility with a “Best of STEM Educator Reviews” marketing package which includes a full educator product review, a one- to five-minute video segment with an Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards judge, year-round visibility across the Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards’ platforms, and more.
For more information about the 2026 Educators Pick Best of STEM Awards and Educators Pick Best of AI Awards, visit www.bestofstemawards.com.
About Catapult X
Founded by Daylene Long, Catapult X is a market and product development company that consults with science and STEM/STEAM, and CTE education industry partners—organizations, businesses, and associations—to catapult their brand and products forward by using data-driven insights.
Long catapults brand, product, and sales growth through alignment of data and strategy, using progressive research techniques and customer discovery. Long publishes national surveys on STEM education, and market analytics to guide edtech marketers across the globe. Additionally, Catapult X provides thought leadership strategies, lead generation campaigns, competitive analyses, focus groups, and in-depth interviews. Long is an affiliate member of the Council of State Science Supervisors, a member of NSELA, and a twenty-year member of NSTA. Long connects her clients to administrators, educators, distributors, and media to build strong global partnerships.
About MCH Strategic Data
MCH Strategic Data is a leading provider of compiled K-12 contact data, state of the art marketing solutions and database driven sales empowerment technology in education. MCH has been leading the K-12 marketing space for 100 years and MCH continues to be the innovator that the rest of the market follows. MCH's new "A.I. powered" K-12 prospecting email models are setting new standards in the industry for what is possible with open rates and response rates. And, MCH 's new K-12 programmatic digital advertising services are a first of its kind in this market. Learn more at www.mchdata.com or find them on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About NABT
Since being established in 1938, the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has been the recognized "leader in life science education." Thousands of educators have joined NABT to share experiences and expertise with colleagues from around the globe; keep up with trends and developments in the field; and grow professionally. For more information about NABT, please visit www.NABT.org.
About NSTA
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.NSTA.org, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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