The Iowa Children’s Museum is seeking nominations for the Robert E. Yager Active Learning Award to honor outstanding teachers, administrators, and education staff who create student-driven environments that make active learning possible.
Do you know an educator who:
- Inspires students through hands-on, engaging learning experiences?
- Adapts curriculum to meet students’ unique needs?
- Fosters a collaborative, inclusive classroom?
Then nominate them today!
Nomination Details:
- Who Can Nominate: Parents, students, colleagues, administrators, and community members
- How to Nominate: Complete a short form at www.theicm.org/activelearning
- Deadline: Nominations are due by Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Award Benefits for Honorees:
- $100 gift card for classroom supplies
- A classroom field trip to The Iowa Children’s Museum
- Museum admission passes for students
- Original “Active Learning” art print by a local artist
- 15 Family Day Passes for the honoree’s school district/center
- Recognition at The Iowa Children’s Museum’s Celebrate Play! Gala
Museum passes and field trips redeemable through the end of the 2025-2026 academic year
What does “active learning” look like?
Active learning means guiding students to discover, question, and connect learning to their own lives. This looks like:
- Adapting lessons to student interests and needs
- Creating inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences
- Encouraging collaboration and respectful classroom communities
| Less emphasis on… | More emphasis on… |
| Treating all students alike and responding to the group as a whole | Understanding and responding to individual student’s interests, strengths, experiences, and needs |
| Rigidly following curriculum | Selectively adapting curriculum to students’ needs |
| Presenting content through lecture, text, and demonstration | Guiding students in active and extended inquiries |
| Focusing on student acquisition of information | Focusing on student understanding and use of knowledge, idea, and inquiry process |
| Asking for recitation of acquired knowledge | Providing opportunities for discussion and debate among students |
| Testing students for factual information at the end of the unit or chapter | Continuously assessing student understanding and involving students in the process |
| Maintaining responsibility and authority | Sharing responsibility for learning with students |
| Supporting competition | Supporting a classroom community with cooperation, shared responsibility, and respect |
| Working alone | Working with other teachers to enhance their teaching methods and strategies |
Ready to Celebrate an Educator Making a Difference?
Nominate an educator who transforms the learning experience for students and inspires a love of discovery. Visit www.theicm.org/activelearning to submit your nomination.
Spread the word and help us recognize those who are shaping the future through the power of active learning!
