In an effort to recognize those educators who are going above and beyond to get their students to excel in the STEM disciplines, a national publishing house is creating a new award.

Dubbed the STEMIE, the award is designed to recognize and reward teachers who are finding innovative ways to reach today’s students. McGraw-Hill Education will acknowledge teachers who are pioneering effective techniques to engage their students in science, technology, engineering or math with $25,000 in cash and prizes. 

To enter, teachers will submit a short video at mheonline.com/stemie, which should be used to demonstrate an innovative lesson, experiment or other project from their classroom. A short essay and lesson plan should accompany the video. As the entries are submitted, the STEMIE site will serve as a platform for teachers to share their success and learn about what is working for other teachers. Submissions will be accepted through May 31, 2012.

“We want to give teachers a place to share their innovative ideas, and at the same time  the opportunity to win much-needed funds for technology, curricular materials, training, equipment, or tools for their classroom,” said Lisa O’Masta, vice president of STEM at McGraw-Hill Education. “We know that so many teachers are doing more with less, and the STEMIE winners will have the opportunity to do more with more.”   

The eight contest winners, to be announced after October 3, 2012, will be selected based on the originality of the idea presented in the video and the written submission that includes a lesson plan and an essay. In addition to the judging panel, members of the general public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite video through an online voting system available at mheonline.com/stemie.