The robert E. Yager

Active Learning Award

Recognizing Outstanding Educators

The Robert E. Yager Active Learning Award honors outstanding educators who foster an active learning environment in their classroom and create opportunities for students to imagine, create, discover and explore.

ABOUT THE AWARD

We are honored to recognize four excellent educators each year.

At The Iowa Children’s Museum, we believe active learning is critical to child development and education. Research overwhelmingly asserts that students learn best when they actively participate in their own learning.

Many educators in our community dedicate themselves to providing students with opportunities to become engaged learners, innovative thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. We are honored to recognize four of these excellent educators each year.

Recipient Awards

$100 gift card for classroom supplies and needs
One classroom field trip to The Iowa Children’s Museum
Free museum admission passes for classroom students
Original “Active Learning” art print created by a local artist
15 Family Day Passes to the museum for the educator’s school district/center/organization
Four tickets to The Iowa Children’s Museum’s Celebrate Play! Gala for the presentation of your award

All museum passes and field trips redeemable through the end of the 2025-2026 academic year

Presented in memory of Dr. Robert E. Yager

The Active Learning Award is presented in memory of University of Iowa Professor Emeritus and world-renowned educator Dr. Robert E. Yager. Dr. Yager devoted his career to empowering educators to inspire students to learn through active engagement with concepts and hands-on materials.

Nominate an Educator

Complete the form below to nominate an educator. All nominations are due by December 15, 2024.

Your Name (Name of the person making the nomination)*
Please provide us with the following information so that we can follow up with you if needed and to notify you if your nominee is selected to receive the award.
First Last
Email
Phone
Are you a...*
- Coworker
- Parent
- Student
- Community Member
- Business Member
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEE:*
First Name Last Name
Email*
Phone
Nominee's Position/Job*
School or Organization where Nominee works:*
Address of the Nominee's school/organization*
How does the nominee foster an "active learning" environment?*
Briefly describe what the nominee does to create a student driven environment where "active learning" is possible. Active learning means providing students with opportunities to become engaged learners, innovative thinkers, and creative problem-solvers. (1000 character limit.)
Describe an innovative/impactful lesson or activity that the nominee has facilitated.*
Briefly describe an innovative/impactful lesson or activity that the nominee has facilitated. In what ways did it exemplify the best practices of "active learning?" This could include hands-on activities, experiences out in the community, child-led projects, etc. (1000 character limit)
What else would you like to share about the nominee?*
Our award is named in memory of Dr. Robert E. Yager, a beloved educator, philanthropist and family man. Please help us further understand why the educator is deserving of this honor. (1000 character limit)
Comments
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Previous Award Recipients and Nominees

2024-2025

Award recipients:

Annika Buell, Garner Elementary School
Gus Creach, Oak Hill Elementary School
Ann Creasey, Willowwind School
Barbara Goodwin, Good Shepherd Center
Karen Johnson, Tipton Elementary School