Tennessee Elementary Science Teacher Honored With 2025 Shell Science Teaching Award

Melissa Collins Receives $10,000 Prize for Achievements in STEM Teaching

The National Science Teaching Association announced today that Melissa Collins, a science teacher at John P. Freeman Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee, has received the 2025 Shell Science Teaching Award. During an award ceremony at the NSTA National Conference in Philadelphia in March, Collins was formally recognized for her achievement.

Melissa Collins’s philosophy centers around preparing young minds to dream. In her classroom, she focuses on the 4 E’s: Expose, Engage, and Experience equal future Employment, which will increase the social mobility of her community and the world. She believes in instilling a growth mindset in students, helping them realize the value they can contribute to their communities. Collins encourages students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers by introducing them to professionals who work in the field. Students explore various areas of STEM by interacting with experts and conducting research on experts who look like them. They experience STEM through hands-on learning, competitions, and field visits within and beyond their communities.

Collins believes students must ask questions and explore their curiosity, and she encourages imaginative play to help boost students’ interest in and creativity in STEM. She also fosters partnerships with K–12 schools, postsecondary institutions, and industry partners. She has hosted STEM Fest, Carnival Physical, and STEM panels for the entire school community.

Collins was honored with the Shell Science Teaching Award for her commitment to excellence and her impact on her students and her community. She received a $10,000 cash prize from Shell USA Inc. and expenses to attend NSTA’s National Conference in Philadelphia, which took place March 26–29.

“Melissa Collins provides her students with the outstanding science and STEM education that this award celebrates. Her passion for increasing her students’ interest in STEM and the many partnerships she has fostered on her students’ behalf exemplify the caring, hard work, and dedication of a master science educator,” said NSTA President Alicia Conerly, Ed.D.

In addition to Collins, two finalists were selected. Mary Lynn Hess, an elementary science teacher at Goldsboro Elementary Magnet School in Sanford, Florida, and Kenneth Huff, a science teacher at Mill Middle School in Williamsville, New York, received expenses to attend NSTA’s National Conference in Philadelphia, and were also recognized for their achievements at the award ceremony held during the conference.

More information about the NSTA Teacher Awards Program and the Shell Science Teaching Award can be found at https://www.nsta.org/awards-and-recognition-program.

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 following NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter; Facebook; Instagram; YouTube; and LinkedIn.

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Big news! #NSTA has named Melissa Collins, a science teacher at John P. Freeman Elementary in Memphis, the 2025 Shell Science Teaching Award winner! She was honored in March at the NSTA National Conference in Philadelphia. #NSTASpring25 #scied