Top STEM Educator

10/24/2019 By Kalyn Cole- A Shippensburg University alumni had been awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence due to his immersive STEM curriculum at the Milton Hershey School.

Joel Crowley is one of four teachers from Pennsylvania to win this award. The award was established in 1983 to be given to educators who go above and beyond in their teaching of K-12 students. A board of scientists, mathematicians, and other teachers views each candidate before selecting who receives this distinguished award. This year, over two-hundred teachers were chosen. Crowley was picked because of his extensive curriculum which includes coding, robotics, engineering, and more. His students have been involved in projects with NASA, greenhouses, and farm equipment. In a press release, Crowley stated, “I am truly humbled and honored by this award. I learn through triumphs and failures alongside my students and STEAM education really embraces that trial and error spirit. I am continuing to learn and grow as a teacher and it is a privilege to utilize the resources at MHS to empower students with inspiring, hands-on learning experiences every day.” In addition to the title, Crowley will be given a $10,000 reward along with a number of events in the nation’s capital.